Experimental study on effect of micro textured surfaces generated by ultrasonic vibration assisted face turning on friction and wear performance

Ultrasonic vibration-assisted turning process (UVAT) is one of the effective methods in improving the tribological properties. In this research, the effect of different machining parameters such as cutting speed and feed rate as well as the effect of three vibration modes of one-dimensional (LVT), elliptical (EVT), and three-dimensional (3D-VT) on the tribological properties is examined. In order to validate the results of UVAT process, conventional face-turning operation was performed as well. Wear and friction tests were performed using pin-on-disk wear and friction machine with identical vertical load and sliding speed. The results of the tests show that the surfaces upon which micro-dimples have been created by UVAT processes reduce the average friction coefficient, wear rate and adhesion between pin and samples surface compared with conventional machined surfaces. Compared with conventional face-turning surfaces, average friction coefficient of the surfaces face-turned by LVT, EVT, and 3D-VT processes, show a maximum decrease of 13%, 18%, and 21% respectively. Moreover, compared with CT process, because of the unique features of UVAT process in creating micro-dimples, the contact between chrome steel pin and the sample surface decreases; this in turn leads to further reduction in wear rate for the processes of LVT, EVT, and 3D-VT respectively.