Influence of surface structure/wettability on tribological properties of titanium

Wettability could improve the surface properties of materials, such as anti-friction, wear resistance, anti-icing, etc. Titanium and titanium alloys were widely used in medicine, aerospace, and other fields. Titanium surfaces with water contact angles of 0°, 60°, 120°, and 160° were prepared here using the method of laser processing combined with heat treatment and hot water immersion. It was found that the superhydrophobic surface with micro-nano structures had the smallest coefficient of friction, which was reduced by 22.94% from 0.37418 to 0.28833 with the unprocessed one. The superhydrophilic surface with a micro-nano structure had the smallest wear mass, which was reduced by 96.84% from 0.95 mg to 0.03 mg with the unprocessed one. This paper provided theoretical and experimental support for the effect of surface structure and wettability on friction and wear properties.