PVD-Based Microstructuring Surface Techniques for Tribological Applications

Combined techniques of Physical Vapour Deposition (PVD), laser ablation and UV-Photolithography have been set up to produce well defined surface textures able to increase the seizure resistance of high loaded lubricated systems. Using these new techniques, different predefined surface textures, following rectangular grid and zigzag stripped patterns have been generated. The microstructured surfaces developed have been characterised with confocal microscopy, optical and scanning electron microscopy. Ball-on-disc tribological tests under progressively increased load have been carried out using mineral oil as lubricant to determine the influence of surface microtextures on seizure resistance. The influence of shape and size of texture patterns on the tribological performance of the surface have been also studied.