Enhanced lubrication effect of gallium-based liquid metal with laser textured surface

Gallium-based liquid metals which hold high thermal stability and conductivity are promising lubricant candidates for harsh environment. In this study, the lubrication behaviours of Ga76In24 (LM) were investigated for steel/steel contact under different contact stresses and sliding speeds. Surface texturing technique was proposed to enhance the lubrication behaviours of LM. Textured surfaces with different area ratios were fabricated by nanosecond laser texturing and characterized by scanning electron microscope and laser scanning confocal microscope. Tribological results demonstrate that applied load as well as sliding frequency can influence the LM's lubrication behaviours and that textured surface can improve LM's anti-friction and anti-wear abilities. Moreover, the relative lubrication mechanisms for untextured and textured surfaces are discussed.