Tribological behavior of laser textured steel impregnated with supramolecular gel lubricant

The friction and wear properties of supramolecular gel lubricant impregnated into the laser surface texturing steel fabricated by laser micromachining were investigated, with that impregnated with commercial oil PAO10 as a comparison. Scanning electron microscopy characterization shows the gel lubricant have been successfully pumped into the pores of laser surface texturing steel from liquid state and solidified afterwards via supermolecular assembly. The friction was measured on an Optimal SRV-IV oscillating reciprocating friction and wear tester. It is shown that laser surface texturing steel impregnated with gel lubricant exhibited outstanding friction reduction and antiwear performance than impregnated with PAO10. The gelator molecules act not only to solidify lubricating oil, but also contribute to boundary lubrication by strong adsorption on substrate surface. The instant self-assembly of gelator to solidify lubricating oils makes impregnation of lubricants easier and helps to keep lubricating oils retention for long-term functioning.