Effect of magnetic field on tribological performance of laser dimple textured surface

Experiments were performed to examine the friction and wear of laser dimple textured surfaces of medium carbon steel under three conditions: normal, degaussing, and an additional magnetic field. The coefficients of friction and wear volume of the laser dimple textured surfaces were measured, and the hardness of the dimple edge were measured. The worn surfaces of the specimens were examined, and the elemental contents of the wear debris were analysed. The wear debris within the laser dimples was examined at regular intervals to analyse the trapping processes. The experimental results indicated that the coefficients of friction and wear volume mass were reduced by the laser dimple textured surface. Compared with the normal condition, the abrasive wear of the laser dimple textured surface was reduced under both the degaussing and additional magnetic conditions, and the coefficients of friction and wear were reduced. Under the additional magnetic condition, uniform debris attachment to the inner walls of the laser dimples occurred. The distributions of the magnetic domains within the specimens affected the trapping process of wear debris during the wear experiments, and the wear-debris trapping capacity of the laser dimples was improved under the additional magnetic condition. The following phenomena occurred under the additional magnetic condition: hardness improvement of the dimple edge, oxidation of the wear debris, and coverage of the worn surfaces by wear debris. The results indicate that the tribological performance of the laser dimple textured surface of medium carbon steel can be improved under degaussing and additional magnetic conditions.