Laser Induced Periodic Surface Structures on 100Cr6 Steel for Modification of Friction Demonstrated with Stribeck Test

In this contribution, we report on surface functionalization by introducing laser induced periodic surface structures on 100Cr6 bearing steel to modify complex tribological properties. The advanced approach of this study is the measurement of the coefficient of friction by performing a ball-on-disk Stribeck test on laser structured surfaces with polytetrafluoroethylene balls in a lubricant environment. The Stribeck test reveals the modified friction behavior using translation speeds up to 10(6) mm/min and load forces between 100 mN and 5000 mN. Our results show increased stiction and coefficient of friction for laser structured surfaces in the regime of boundary lubrication which is attributed to the laser induced surface asperities. Decreased coefficient of friction is observed in the regime of mixed and hydrodynamic lubrication, i.e. for velocities higher than 1000 mm/min, for surfaces covered by laser induced periodic surface structures with low spatial frequency.