Evaluation of tribological performance in contact pairs by implementing the biomimetic surface textures with lubricant flow using CFD techniques

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the tribological benefits of a biomimetic teardrop surface texture inspired by snakeskin compared to conventional surface textures with the help of geometrical and flow parameters using computational fluid dynamics techniques. Design/methodology/approach The lubricant is assumed to be Newtonian, and the flow is laminar with constant viscosity and isothermal property. The governing equations, continuity and Navier–Stokes equation, are discretised by the finite volume method, and cavitation modelling is included. The discretisation for the momentum equations is carried out using the second-order difference method for the SIMPLEC algorithm of pressure–velocity coupling. Findings The results indicate that biomimetic teardrop surface texturing performs better than conventional shapes surface textures in improving tribological performance. Furthermore, the parallel texture orientation along with the flow generates a high-pressure distribution relative to other orientations. Surface texture area density also highly influences the load-carrying capacity, which is optimum at 29%. Zigzag pattern arrangement performs better compared to linear pattern arrangement of texturing. Originality/value The paper proposes that this unique biomimetic teardrop shape can give better tribological performance than conventional shapes. Peer review The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-02-2024-0053/