Friction response of bioinspired AISI 52100 steel surfaces texturized by photochemical machining

Abstract This work shows the friction response of textured steel surfaces whose deterministic design is inspired in the characteristics of the Vipera Ammodytes snake skin. The skin was studied to identify morphological, chemical, mechanical and tribological attributes that served as inspiration for the design of the deterministic patterns, which were reproduced in AISI 52100 steel samples by Photochemical Machining (PCM). The textured samples were tested in a pin-on-disc tribometer using AISI H13 steel as counter body. The results showed an effective reduction of up to 38% in the friction coefficient of the texturized samples when compared to the conventional ones, as well as an anisotropic friction behavior as a function of the sliding direction. In addition, it was observed that the percentage of texturized area of the samples strongly affected the friction response, especially for values higher than 20%.