The synergetic effects of laser texturing and super-hydrophobic coatings on improving wear properties of steel

To investigate the synergetic effects of laser texturing and super-hydrophobic coatings on tribological performances, we prepare micro-grooves on steel substrates by femtosecond laser and then deposit super-hydrophobic coatings in the micro-grooves to obtain coated groove-textured surfaces (CGSs). The tribological behaviors of polished steel surfaces (PSSs), groove-textured surfaces (GSs), and CGSs under water lubrication are examined. Compared with PSSs and GSs, CGSs show significant anti-friction and wear-resisting properties under a relatively low load. With increasing the texture density, the wear resistance of CGSs decreases. When a load of 0.5 N is applied on the CGSs with a texture density of 10%, the friction coefficient and wear loss are reduced by 22.3% and 73.5%, respectively, compared with PSSs. [Display omitted] •The synergetic effect of laser texturing and super-hydrophobic coatings filled in the laser-ablated textures is investigated.•Wear loss can be reduced by 73.5% through the synergetic effects.•Super-hydrophobic coatings can reduce the friction and wear of laser-textured surfaces by improving hydro-dynamic pressure.