Generation method and antifriction performance evaluation of discrete micro-pit surface texture based on high speed ball-end milling process

Benefiting from the structural characteristics of the ball-end milling cutter and the tool motion characteristics during the cutting process, the high speed ball-end milling process can be directly used to manufacture discrete surface micro-pits texture with different sizes and distributions. The influencing mechanism of the interval and distribution of the micro-pit texture on the antifriction performance was investigated by combining Fluent fluid simulation and reciprocating sliding friction test under oil immersion lubrication condition. Results show that the textured surface with micro-pit features shows obvious antifriction ability. The friction coefficient of textured surface was reduced by 61.5 % compared with that of polished specimens. The interval can influence the oil film bearing capacity and then the antifriction ability. The most significant friction reduction effect was achieved when the micro-pit interval was 900 μm. Additionally, the friction coefficient can be further reduced by optimizing the distribution of the micro-pits. The friction coefficient decreased to 0.121 for the orientation angle 70° condition.