Tribological performance of multi-scale micro-textured H62 brass surface fabricated by micro-milling and wet micro-blasting

Abstract

Abstract The cylinder block/valve plate interface in the axial piston pump has been proven to be easily worn out, which will increase power loss and reduce its efficiency. The valve plate surface is required to be manufactured with low viscous friction and wear. Multi-scale micro-texture has been proven to improve surface tribological properties. However, there are few types of research in the effect of surface topography on the tribological performance of multi-scale micro-textured surfaces. The purpose of this study is to explore how the multi-scale micro-texture on H62 brass affects its sliding friction behavior on 38CrMoAl. Based on micro-milling and wet micro-blasting, the multi-scale micro-textured surface was manufactured on H62 brass. The wet micro-blasting was applied in the H62 brass after the surface micro-texturing. The surface topography of multi-scale micro-textured samples processed by three abrasive grit sizes accompanied by two processing times was comprehensively measured in terms of height, feature, functional, and functional volume parameters. The tribological performance of multi-scale micro-textured H62 brass was characterized by disk-on-disk frictional experiments. Through analyzing the relationship between surface morphology and tribological properties, the anti-friction mechanism of the multi-scale micro-textured surface was analyzed from the perspective of 3D surface roughness parameters. The friction coefficient of the multi-scale micro-textured surface processed by the combination of micro-milling and wet micro-blasting decreased with the increasing grit size and micro-blasting time.