Fabrication and tribological properties of bionic surface texture self-lubricating 60NiTi alloy via selective laser melting and infiltration

Abstract

Due to its low elastic modulus, low density, non-magnetic and good lubricity, 60NiTi alloy is considered a novel fourth-generation aerospace bearing material. In this paper, 60NiTi biomimetic surface textured self-lubricating composites were fabricated by selective laser melting (SLM) and high-temperature fusion infiltration (HTFI). The effects of different slit widths (NTD), edge lengths (NTA), and soft metal Sn-Pb-Ag (SPA) infiltration on its tribological properties were studied. The results show that the NTA-SPA structural samples with medium texture density (ρ = 16 %) promoted the diffusion of the lubricant phase to the friction surface, resulting in a complete lubricant film. The COF stabilized at 0.2, and the wear rate decreased to 0.56 × 10⁻³ mm³/Nm, providing a more stable self-lubrication effect compared to the NTD-SPA sample.