The tribological performance of engineered micro-surface topography by picosecond laser on PEEK

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of engineered micro-structures on the tribological properties of metal-polyetheretherketone (PEEK) surface. Design/methodology/approach Circular dimples with diameters of 25 and 50 µm were designed and manufactured on PEEK plate specimens using picosecond laser. Reciprocating friction and wear tests on a ball-on-flat configuration were performed to evaluate the tribological properties of the designed micro-structures in dry contacts. The loading forces of 0.9 and 3 N were applied. Findings As a result, obvious fluctuations of coefficient of friction curve were observed in tribosystems consisting of non-textured and textured PEEK with circular dimples of 25 µm in diameter. GCr15 ball/textured PEEK plate specimens with circular dimples of 50 µm in diameter revealed a superior friction and wear property. Originality/value Different to the existing studies in which the tribopairs consist of hard bearing couples, this study investigated the tribological properties of the engineered micro-structures on the hard-on-soft bearing couples.