Metal sample with period surface nanostructures (LIPSS) at the femtosecond laser processing stage
Source: BAM
Laser material processing is an emerging technology that generates surface functionalities on the basis of optical, mechanical, or chemical properties. Therefore, the open access journal Lubricants plans a Special Issue and aims to attract both academic and industrial researchers. BAM’s Nanomaterial Technologies division is widely recognized as one of the leading groups in this field, as well as BAM’s Macrotribology and Wear Protection division in the field of tribology. Lubricants therefore invited members of these BAM divisions as guest editors. This ensures that the Special Issue will provide a bridge between research in the fields of tribology and laser material processing. The aim is to foster the current knowledge and present new ideas for future applications and new technologies.
In the form of laser surface texturing (LST), laser material processing has attracted a remarkable amount of research to tailor surface properties towards various tribological applications. The main advantages of this single-step, laser-based technology are the contactless machining, featuring a high flexibility, efficiency, and speed, along with the excellent quality of the processed products. LST can be applied precisely localized to sub-micrometric areas, but, via laser beam scanning, it is also feasible for structuring large surface areas at the square meter size.
The Special Issue focuses on the latest developments concerning the tribological performance of laser-generated periodic surface nano- and microstructures and their applications. This includes the laser-based processing of different surface patterns, such as “self-organized” laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS, ripples), grooves, micro-spikes, hierarchical hybrid nano-/micro-structures, microfeatures generated by direct laser interference patterning (DLIP), or even dimples or other topographic geometries shaped by direct laser modification or ablation. The applications of these periodically nano- and micro-patterned surfaces may improve the lubricated or non-lubricated tribological performance of surfaces in conformal and even non-conformal contact through a reduction of wear, a variation of the coefficient of friction, altered load carrying capacity, etc., resulting in energy saving, improved reliability, increased lifetimes as well as durability, leading in turn to extended maintenance intervals/reduced down-time. This can be beneficial in terms of bearings, gears, engines, seals, cutting tools, or other tribological components. Fundamental aspects addressed may involve the investigation of the relevant physical and chemical effects accompanying the laser-generated nano- and microscale topographies, such as alterations of the material structures, the hardness, superficial oxidation, the role of additives contained in lubricants, surface wettability, micro-hydrodynamic effects, etc.
Manuscripts for this Special Issue “Laser-Induced Periodic Surface Nano- and Microstructures for Tribological Applications” should be submitted online until 30. June 2019. Find more information here.