Friction reduction by micro-textured surfaces in lubrication

Experimental investigations were carried out to verify if the friction reduction in lubrication can be expanded by a textured surface with sawtooth riblets. Sawtooth riblets were formed by ultraprecision diamond cutting, with a ridge angle of about 60^◦ –90^◦ and height of about 20–50 μm on the contact surface. Six types of textured surfaces with different ridge angles, heights, and sliding directions were tested and compared with the untextured surface. The tribological tests were conducted by a flat-on-flat tribometer in lubrication. The effects of the ridge angle, height, and relative sliding direction on the friction coefficient in lubrication were reported.