Design, simulation and validation of biomimetic anaconda scale textures on 65Mn steel plow surfaces for friction reduction

Purpose To address the severe erosion and friction caused by soil abrasives on the surface of 65Mn plowshares during long-term tillage operations, this study aims to introduce bionic surface texturing as a modification strategy. Design/methodology/approach By integrating simulation and experimental methods, the texture parameters were optimized to improve wear resistance of the plow surface. ANSYS fluid simulations were first used to analyze the effects of varying texture angles and texture densities on oil film load-bearing capacity, friction characteristics and pressure distribution. Subsequently, tribological experiments were conducted to evaluate changes in the coefficient of friction, and scanning electron microscopy was used to investigate wear mechanisms. Findings Simulation results indicated that a microtexture angle of 60° combined with a texture density of 15% yielded optimal performance. Experimental results showed that under these conditions, the coefficient of friction was reduced by 32.6% and the wear rate decreased by 26.58%, compared with untextured samples. Originality/value This study provides a novel approach for designing friction-reducing and wear-resistant plow surfaces, aiming to lower tillage energy consumption and prolong tool life. Peer review The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-05-2025-0252/