金属3Ｄプリンタを活用した自己潤滑性摺動面の創製

抄録

In sliding elements, it is important to supply an oil lubricant to the sliding surface, because oil starvation causes seizure and finally machine failure. In order to improve the frictional properties, a self-lubricating sliding surface, termed a 3D capillary structure, has been proposed. It can collect excessive lubricant from sliding surface and supply it again into sliding interface by utilizing capillary action. The 3D capillary structure was manufactured by metal 3D printer, because of its complex micro-structure. In this study, the oil lubricant supplying function and frictional properties of the 3D capillary structure were investigated. The oil lubricant supplying function of the 3D capillary structure was confirmed by performing a sliding test with digital camera observation. To compare the frictional property of a 3D capillary structured specimen, a non-textured specimen and conventional dimpled specimen were manufactured by metal 3D printer. Experimental results showed that the 3D capillary structure exhibited oil lubricant supplying function and lowest frictional property. It is considered that the 3D capillary structure is a novel tribo-surface that is more effective for friction reduction.