Enhancing the Surface Integrity of Tribologically Stressed Contacting Surfaces by an Adjusted Surface Topography

Abstract

Tribological systems are more and more used under mixed and boundary friction conditions. Typically the running-in phase of a tribological system shows a wear rate which is significantly higher than the wear rate during steady state. Commonly it is assumed that smoother surfaces would lead to lower wear rates. A new approach aims at the shortening of the running-in phase by adjusting the surface topography. Specific topographies resulting from milling, grinding, and honing processes were generated and tribologically tested under lubricated sliding wear conditions. Wear tests showed a distinct influence of the surface topography regarding wear rate and running-in time.