Tribology Characteristics in 200 μm of Hexagonal Array Dimple Pattern

This study investigates the effects of a pattern of 200 μm dimples in a hexagonal array on tribological characteristics. A textured surface might reduce the friction coefficient and wear caused by third-body abrasion and thus improve the tribological performance. There are three friction conditions based on the Stribeck curve: boundary friction, mixed friction, and fluid friction conditions. In this experiment, we investigate the friction characteristics by carrying out the friction tests at sliding speeds ranging from 0.06 to 0.34 m/s and normal load ranging from 10 to 100 N. We create dimple surfaces for texturing by using the photolithography method. There are three kinds of specimens with different dimple densities ranging from 10% to 30%. The dimple density on the surface area is the one of the important factors affecting friction characteristics. Friction coefficient generally decreases with an increase in the velocity and load, indicating that the lubrication regime changes depending on the load and velocity. The fluid friction regime is fully developed, as indicated by the duty number graph. Fluid friction occurs at a velocity of 0.14-0.26 m/s. The best performance is seen at 10% dimple density and 200 μm dimple circle in the hexagonal array.