Determining ways of improving the tribological properties of the silicon carbide ceramic using a pulse-periodic laser treatment

Abstract

Laser surface microstructuring is applied to improve the tribological properties of materials. To increase potential practical applications, the expansion of the laser microstructuring functionalities through the use of more common laser systems with pulse durations in the millisecond range may show promise. For the first time it was shown that the tribological properties of the surface of the silicon carbide ceramic can be improved using a pulse-periodic laser treatment with millisecond pulses. Morphological changes of the surface under treatment after the exposure to pulse-periodic laser light were assessed. It was found that the pulse-periodic laser treatment with 0.5-ms pulses of energy 1.1 J led to the smoothing of recesses in the polished surface of the silicon carbide ceramic. Higher-energy laser treatment led to the formation of cracks on the material surface. The study of tribological properties of the resulting structures showed that following the laser treatment the mean value of the friction coefficient decreased by 15 %.

Ultraviolet Nanosecond Laser Treatment to Reduce the Friction Coefficient of Silicon Carbide Ceramics

“…This process showed progressive results when it was applied to the drive tapes of electronic devices, also enhancing the tribological properties of the surfaces of various mechanisms parts [28][29][30][31]. Microstructuring of a silicon carbide ceramic surface by irradiation with laser pulses [32,33] finds its application. For example, in [34], a periodically repeated microrelief was formed by laser treatment.…”

Improving Tribological Properties of Stainless Steel Surfaces by Femtosecond Laser Irradiation

“…It was shown that textured surfaces demonstrated a lowered friction coefficient compared to the untreated analogue under dry friction conditions without lubricant as well as boundary and hydrodynamic lubricating conditions. The use of the laser surface treatment of silicon carbide seal rings to reduce the friction coefficient is known in the practice of producing mechanical gas-dynamic seals [19]. In addition to applications for mechanical components, laser texturing was used to improve tribological properties of bio-implant surfaces, such as dental implants and artificial joints, providing better tribological properties of bio-implant materials [20,21].…”