Research on optimal laser texture parameters about antifriction characteristics of cemented carbide surface

Cemented carbide (YG8) is commonly applied to workplaces where friction and wear are severe. Therefore, improving the surface friction performance is of great significance. Surface micro-texture technology is exactly a feasible method. However, due to high wear resistance and hardness of YG8, it is difficult to process surface texture with accurate feature size by traditional methods. In this paper, four types of groove-shaped textures were etched on the surface of YG8 discs by high peak power UV nanosecond laser. The error of texture width could be controlled within ±5 μm. Friction and wear tests were performed using a standard ball-on-disc configuration to investigate the influence of the texture parameters (width and area ratio of grooved textures) on the friction-reducing and wear-resistance properties under constant load and relative sliding speed. Antifriction mechanism of textures was analyzed and a theoretical model of texture under dry friction condition was presented. As shown in the experimental results, the optimal texture parameters have a good gain effect on friction-reducing and wear-resistance of cemented carbide surface under dry friction and solid lubrication. Friction coefficient was reduced from 0.301 to 0.275 and 0.138, respectively. The theoretical model has good agreement with the experimental data and could provide theoretical support for predicting the optimal parameters of texture.