Effects of surface texture size on the tribological properties of slideways

Abstract

The effects of surface texture on the tribological properties of slideways were investigated experimentally. The authors designed an experimental apparatus for evaluating textured surfaces using specimens of a practical size (82 mm × 82 mm) considering the slideways used for machine tools which are one of the application fields for their research. The evaluated textures were dimple and groove textures, and their diameters and widths varied from 50 μm to 1 mm. The textures were processed by sandblasting as it is one of the alternative methods applied in industry. For comparison with the conventional textures, scraped surfaces were also evaluated. The friction coefficient and the film thickness were measured under the conditions of plane contact, and lubricating with the oil to clarify the effects of the textured pattern. The experimental results showed that the friction coefficient of the textured surfaces was smaller than that of the flat surfaces in the mixed lubrication regime. Regarding the mechanisms of friction reduction by texture types, the authors think that the dimples played the role of oil reservoir, and the parallel grooves prevented side leakage of the lubricating oil.