Two-step printing Ni3Al/Cr3C2-Ti3SiC2/MoS2 composite films using electrohydrodynamic atomization with a biomimetic shark-skin mask

Natural structures with outstanding tribological properties have inspired mankind to imitate their designs, and the purpose is to minimize friction and wear. Herein, in consideration of the exceptional high-temperature strength and wear resistance of Cr3C2 reinforced Ni3Al matrix composite, Ni3Al/Cr3C2 convex texture was printed through the usage of electrohydrodynamic atomization (EHDA) technology, with a mask that simulated bioinspired sharkskin. Furthermore, the corresponding synergistic lubrication behavior between the convex texture and Ti3SiC2/MoS2 lubricants was explored. Experimental results indicated that the composite films consisting of inspired-sharkskin Ni3Al/Cr3C2 convex texture and Ti3SiC2/MoS2 lubricants exhibited favorable adhesive strength, giving long wear life and excellent stability in friction. This was mainly ascribed to the convex textured enhanced surface wettability of the polished substrate. The composite films performed a favorable friction coefficient of 0.17 at ambient temperature, which was decreased by 70.2 % and 39.3 %, with respect to the structure-less Ni3Al/Cr3C2 and Ti3SiC2/MoS2 composite films, respectively. This improvement could be explained by the sharkskin convex texture served as a reservoir for storing lubricants and supported to form more continuous transfer films. In this work, an efficient and potential approach was proposed for exploiting lubri-cation structures in future interfacial engineering and lubrication systems under peculiar service environments.

Automated summary

In this study, a bioinspired sharkskin mask was used to print a convex texture of Cr3C2 reinforced Ni3Al matrix composite, which exhibited outstanding high-temperature strength and wear resistance. The synergistic lubrication behavior between the convex texture and Ti3SiC2/MoS2 lubricants was explored, and the composite films showed long wear life and excellent stability in friction. The improvement in friction coefficient can be attributed to the storage function of the sharkskin convex texture and the formation of continuous transfer films.