Influence of blended textures generated by laser surface texturing on friction behavior in soft tissue cutting

In order to explore the influence of micro-textures with distinct edge radii on friction in soft tissue cutting, blended laser surface texturing was employed to produce micro-channels on stainless-steel sheets. The tribological property was experimentally investigated through insertion tests. The results indicated that the textured surface with micro-channels increased the drag friction due to the stress concentration at the edge rim, while the friction increment rate decreased with the increase of edge radius. Thereafter, the finite element model was established to verify the edge effect by ABAQUS. Furthermore, it was found that the optimal friction was obtained at a medium value of area density combined with large edge radius. •Blended laser surface texturing was used to create micro-channels with edge radius on stainless steel sheets.•The textured surface increased the friction because of the edge effect of micro-channels.•The friction increment rate decreased with the increase of edge radius.•The optimal friction was obtained at a medium value of area density combined with large edge radius.