Experimental investigation on effects of surface texturing on lubrication of initial line contacts

Surface texturing is a surface finishing technology. In recent years, it has been reported that textured surfaces with conformal parallel surface contacts can bear higher loads and result in lower friction than the smooth texture‐less surfaces. However, the effect of surface texturing on tribological behaviour in concentrated contact conditions is much more complicated. In this study, friction and wear properties of a line contact between cylindrical and plane surfaces in sliding were investigated experimentally in mixed lubrication conditions. Wear occurred on the cylinder. It was found that the surface texture with lower dimple area density and larger dimple size showed a better lubrication performance.