Effects of texture geometry on the tribological performance of brass with a TiN coating under lubricated rotation

Pin-on-disc experiments are conducted to investigate the tribological performance of untextured and textured brass surfaces with TiN coatings under oil lubrication. The surface texture is designed as a dimple pattern with different diameters and depths for the transverse surfaces of brass pins. After texturing, a TiN coating is deposited through pulsed-bias arc ion plating in a pure N2 atmosphere using a Ti target. Three dimple diameters are used, namely 130 μm, 150 μm, and 170 μm, along with three dimple depths, namely 15 μm, 40 μm, and 60 μm. The TiN coating is around 5 μm thick. Friction tests are conducted under different rotation speeds and loads, and the interfacial adhesion is assessed via a scratch test. Compared to the untextured surface, the textured one offers improved tribological behavior in mixed lubrication because the dimples generate hydrodynamic lift. To reduce friction in the case of higher speed and lower load, the optimum texture parameters are a diameter of 150 μm and a depth of 40 μm.Pin-on-disc experiments are conducted to investigate the tribological performance of untextured and textured brass surfaces with TiN coatings under oil lubrication. The surface texture is designed as a dimple pattern with different diameters and depths for the transverse surfaces of brass pins. After texturing, a TiN coating is deposited through pulsed-bias arc ion plating in a pure N2 atmosphere using a Ti target. Three dimple diameters are used, namely 130 μm, 150 μm, and 170 μm, along with three dimple depths, namely 15 μm, 40 μm, and 60 μm. The TiN coating is around 5 μm thick. Friction tests are conducted under different rotation speeds and loads, and the interfacial adhesion is assessed via a scratch test. Compared to the untextured surface, the textured one offers improved tribological behavior in mixed lubrication because the dimples generate hydrodynamic lift. To reduce friction in the case of higher speed and lower load, the optimum texture parameters are a diameter of 150 μm and a depth of 40 μm.