Coupling biomimetic micro-textures with MoS2 solid lubricant to enhance tribological properties of Ti6Al4V

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the effects of honeycomb-like biomimetic micro-textures with varying texture sizes and area densities, when coupled with MoS2 solid lubricant coatings, on the tribological behavior of Ti6Al4V, to enhance its tribological properties. Design/methodology/approach Inspired by natural beehive structures, a honeycomb-like biomimetic micro-texture was fabricated on the Ti6Al4V surface using laser surface texturing technology, followed by the deposition of an MoS2 solid lubricant coating. Findings The results show that the textures trap lubricant debris during friction, enabling a cyclic storage-release-restorage mechanism. An optimal combination of texture size and area density with an MoS2 coating significantly enhances the tribological performance of Ti6Al4V. Specifically, the sample with an 800 µm inscribed circle diameter and 30% area density exhibited the best performance, reducing the average friction coefficient by 27.4% and wear mass loss by 83.5% compared to the untextured sample. Originality/value This study investigates the wear-reduction effects of honeycomb-like biomimetic micro-textures with varying sizes and area densities in synergy with solid lubricants, and analyzes the wear-reduction mechanisms during the friction process. It provides a reference for enhancing the tribological performance of Ti6Al4V by coupling laser surface texturing with solid lubricants.