Improving tribological properties of stainless steel surfaces by femtosecond laser irradiation

Abstract

A possibility of improving tribological properties by femtosecond laser irradiation on an example of a steel surface by creating regularly arranged micro-grooved textures that contain self-organized microstructures and nano laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) was determined. The friction coefficient of the treated surface of a sample of cold-rolled 1.4301 stainless steel was evaluated using a CSM Instruments SA tribometer according to a Pin-on-disk test scheme at a specific pressure of 1 MPa. It was found that the coefficient of friction was reduced by 35% compared to the initial grinded surface. Such laser treatment can find application for using parts in conditions of dry or boundary friction, mainly in units, in which the use of lubricant is unacceptable or extremely undesirable.