Cooperative effect of solid lubricant and laser texturing on tribological properties of magnesium alloy surface

Laser surface texturing (LST) was performed on the AZ91D magnesium alloy blocks using a Nd:YAG pulsed laser and the regular-arranged dimples with diameter of 100 µm were fabricated on their surfaces. The friction reduction and anti-wear properties of textured surface combined with solid lubricant were assessed using a pin-disk tester. The results show that the cooperation of LST with solid lubricant is effective at reducing the wear of magnesium alloy. The densities of dimple reservoirs were investigated in terms of the friction and wear of solid lubricant films burnished on the magnesium alloy surfaces. Optimum density (38%) of the dimples is revealed. It is shown that long wear life of burnished film on the textured surfaces of magnesium alloy is apparently provided by preservation of MoS2 film around the dimples and by supply of solid lubricant from the dimples to the interface.