Experimental Method for Frictional Characterization of Micro-Textured Surfaces

摘要

This paper presents data from a new triborheometer device that can be used to create a Stribeck diagram spanning the lubrication regimes from boundary lubrication to hydrodynamic lubrication. Using a torsional rheometer with a parallel plate configuration, the triborheometer allows experimental surfaces to be attached to the rheometer and easily interchanged. Micro-textured nickel surfaces containing pores with 50 micron and 100 micron diameters and different area densities of pores were fabricated using photolithography and electroless nickel plating techniques. Testing these surfaces using a weakly viscoelastic lubricant, it is shown that micro-texturing can reduce friction by as much as 75% after a controlled break-in period. Data from the triborheometer also indicates that the reduction in friction can vary depending on the pattern size and density along with the particular lubrication regime under consideration.