Orientation effects of micro-grooves on sliding surfaces

Based on a brief review of the researches related to the patterns of micro-grooves for tribological purpose, experiments were designed and carried out to study the orientation effects of grooves on the friction performance. The experimental data indicated that the grooves perpendicular or parallel to the sliding direction have a strong impact on the friction performance of sliding surfaces, and the merits of perpendicular or parallel orientation may swap under different contact conditions. The results were then discussed from the aspects of hydrodynamic effect, lubricant supply effect and contact stress effect. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.