Friction behaviors of rough chromium surfaces under starving lubrication conditions

Abstract Surface texturing has become an effective method for improving the tribological properties of mechanical components under the oil lubrication. In this study, a rough surface, with the bumps arranged in a random array, was prepared by means of electrodeposition. A post-grinding and polishing processing was employed to fabricate flat areas for tribological tests under conformal contact. Compared with the smooth surfaces, the rough surface improves the load capacity of coatings at high loads. The effects of rough surfaces on friction reduction become more pronounced at higher speeds and lower normal loads due to the transition of lubricant regime from the boundary to mixed lubrication.