Friction and wear study for the new method of laser-induced cavitation micro-texturing on 7050 aluminum alloy

A new surface-texturing technique—laser-induced cavitation micro-texturing (LICMT) was proposed to improve the friction and lubrication properties of 7050 aluminum alloy. Reciprocating friction tests were used to analyze the tribological properties at different micro-texturing densities and depths under starved lubrication conditions. SEM was used to observe the morphology of the wear surface. The average friction coefficient and wear rate were lowest for a micro-texturing density of 19.63 %. The average friction coefficient decreased with increasing micro-texturing depth. Compared with LST, no craters formed on the surface. Because of the lower abrasive and adhesive wear, the LICMT samples exhibited good friction reduction and lubrication performance. Finally, the mechanism of LICMT explained friction reduction and lubrication under starved lubrication conditions.