Effect of surface texture on the tribological behavior of sliding electrical contact interface

Abstract Two kinds of textured surfaces, i.e. square pit-textured surface (SPTS) and round pit-textured surface (RPTS), are manufactured on the flat specimen surface, respectively. A series of current-carrying tests are carried out to detect the ability of surface texture in affecting the tribological behaviors. Results show that the friction coefficient and friction force of RPTS is the lowest among all the surfaces. Moreover, the RPTS shows the best potential in suppressing the generation of friction-induced vibration (FIV). Although the contact resistance of RPTS is slightly larger than that of other surfaces, the continuity of electrical contact is acceptable. Worn surface analysis is performed to illustrate the different tribological performances of these surfaces. Finite element analysis is also performed to provide reasonable explanation for the test phenomenon.