Laser Texturing to Improve Wear Resistance of 65Mn Steel Rotary Tiller Blades: Effects of Scanning Speed

Abstract

With rapid advancements in agricultural mechanization, enhancing the wear resistance and lifespan of rotary tiller blades is crucial for boosting productivity. This study examines how surface textures affect the friction and wear of 65Mn steel in quartz sand slurry. The results show that laser processing treatment significantly improves the wear resistance of 65Mn steel blades through the lubrication effect due to the wear debris capturing ability of the laser-processed micro-pits. Samples with surface textures processed using a laser scanning speed of 200 mm/s exhibit the best anti-wear property under loads of both 70 N and 100 N, reducing the wear loss by approximately 44.19% and 36.22%, respectively, compared to the non-textured samples. With the applied load increase to 100 N, laser-processed textures can still reduce wear damage but with an impaired anti-wear effect due to the gradually flattening of some textures due to long-term friction and crush damage by high load conditions. These findings help to augment wear resistance and prolong the operational lifespan of 65Mn steel rotary tiller blades, thereby contributing to a more robust understanding of the tribological enhancements achievable through the laser surface texturing process.

1. Introduction

65Mn steel, the predominant material used to manufacture rotary tiller blades, is noted for its exceptional hardness and strength, significantly enhancing the blades’ wear resistance. The elevated hardness of this steel specifically enables the blade to withstand the abrasive action of solid soil particles and plant roots [1]; thus, it is the preferred material for manufacturing rotary tiller blades. Furthermore, the notable strength of 65Mn steel ensures the blade’s ability to endure the impact and bending stresses encountered during rotary tillage operations. Consequently, the superior wear resistance and durability of 65Mn steel make it an ideal choice for rotary tiller blades, warranting further investigation into its performance and potential improvements. However, 65Mn steel is susceptible to overheating and temper brittleness, which may affect its wear resistance in specific working conditions. Therefore, a substantial volume of research has focused on enhancing the wear resistance and extending the service life of rotary tiller blades through the application of advanced surface strengthening techniques, including thermal spraying, laser cladding, and surface heat treatment [2,3]. For instance, Satit et al. revealed that the application of WC/Co coatings via High-Velocity Oxygen Fuel thermal spraying technology substantially improved the wear resistance of the carbon steel rotary tiller blades, as the wear rate reduced from 0.86 cm/hm² to 0.02 cm/hm² [4]. The utilization of composite coatings, prepared on the surface of 65Mn through laser cladding technology, significantly improved the microhardness and wear resistance of the blades [5], as laser cladding can effectively increase the bond strength between the coating and the substrate [6,7].

Laser processing technology, which focuses a high-energy-density beam on the material surface, is known for its directionality, precision, and versatility, making it widely used in various industries [8]. For example, laser surface texturing (LST), a cutting-edge and rapidly advancing surface modification technique, has been extensively utilized to augment the tribological properties of various materials [9]. This technique entails the precise induction of microstructures on material surfaces, thereby substantially enhancing both wear resistance and fatigue resistance [10]. A notable study by Zhao et al. elucidated that laser texturing can effectively reduce the friction coefficient of steel by approximately 27.9% while simultaneously imparting a significant improvement in wear resistance [11]. The solid mask laser ablation technique has been further introduced to improve the oil retention and wear resistance of textured surfaces [12]. In the investigation of the friction and wear characteristics of TB6 alloy, the crucial role of surface texture was highlighted in minimizing friction and wear. The unique morphology and optimized depth of the pitting texture have been demonstrated to not only substantially increase the water contact angle and surface hardness but also decrease the coefficient of friction [13]. Compared to the non-textured counterparts, textured surfaces exhibit superior friction and wear coefficients [14]. Chen et al. pioneered the use of laser technology to enhance the hardness and wear resistance of 65Mn steel rotary tiller blades [15]. Significant progress has been made in surface texture technology in improving the tribological properties of mechanical components [16,17]. However, in the field of agricultural machinery, especially rotary tillers in complex soil environments, there are relatively few studies, and the influence of their surface texture on tribological properties has not been fully explored.

Generally, the selection of proper laser processing parameters is critical for achieving the desired surface micro-texture. Incorrect parameters can cause irregular melt accumulation at texture edges, compromising texture quality [18]. For instance, the scanning speed significantly influences the distribution of laser energy and the pulse overlap rate [19]. A slower scanning speed increases the number of pulses per unit area, potentially leading to excessive material removal and over-ablation of the surface, which can affect surface roughness [12]. Conversely, an excessively fast scanning speed decreases the number of pulses, reducing laser energy and resulting in insufficient texture depth, thereby failing to achieve the desired processing effect [20]. Therefore, selecting an appropriate scanning speed necessitates multiple adjustments and trials [21]. While limited research has been conducted on the effect of the laser scanning speed on the friction and wear properties of 65Mn steel, a comprehensive understanding is lacking. Nevertheless, the underlying mechanisms by which surface texturing influences the tribological behavior of 65Mn steel have yet to be fully elucidated.

To address this gap, the present study, simulating the actual working conditions of rotary tiller blades under the challenging conditions of complex sandy environments, has investigated in detail the influence of laser scanning speed on the surface texture characteristics and the specific role of texture on the tribological behavior of 65Mn steel surface. Based on Ripollet’s finite element simulation research, circular textures utilize their geometric characteristics to reduce stress concentration and lower plasticity risks, thereby outperforming other textures in tribological properties and adaptability to filling materials [22]. This indicates the identification of circular textures as the most effective shape in surface wear resisting, inspiring the present study to utilize circular textures in the laser processing. Scanning speeds of 100 mm/s, 200 mm/s, and 300 mm/s were chosen as experimental parameters. The findings help yield theoretical insights and empirical data to augment wear resistance and prolong the operational lifespan of rotary tiller blades, thereby contributing to a more robust understanding of the tribological enhancements achievable through laser surface texturing.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Sample Preparation

An overall experimental flow, including sample preparation, laser processing, wear testing, and result analysis, was shown in Figure 1. Blades used in this study were obtained from a rotary tiller (Dong Fang Hong 1GS-180, YTO Group Corporation, Luoyang, China), as shown in Figure 1a. Untreated 65Mn steel exhibited a yield strength of 480 MPa, a tensile strength of 780 MPa, an elongation of 13.5%, and a Brinell hardness of 225 HB. In order to adhere to the specifications of the friction testing machine and maintain experimental uniformity, the raw material of the rotary tiller blade was meticulously cut into 65Mn steel samples with a dimension of 57 mm (length) × 25.5 mm (width) × 6 mm (thickness) using wire electrical discharge machining techniques. The primary chemical components of the 65Mn steel specimens are provided by YTO Group and detailed in

Table 1. Chemical composition of 65Mn steel (wt%).

Element	C	Mn	S	Si	P	Ni	Cr	Cu
wt%	0.65	1.0	0.035	0.25	0.035	0.25	0.25	0.25

.

In order to obtain a defect-free surface, each blade sample was ground (with silicon carbide paper of 150, 240, 400, and 600 grade) down to approximately 0.4 mm for eliminating any original flaws or possible oxide layer, and then polished (with 1 µm diamond suspension) until the surface roughness was less than 0.4 μm. The roughness was measured using a profilometer (VSTA2, THINKFOCUS Shanghai Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China). Then, the samples were ultrasonically cleaned in an ethanol solution (75%) for 15 min at room temperature before being carefully dried with a blower.

2.2. Laser Processing

A pulsed laser system (CT-MF20, Wuhan Jinmi Laser Technology Co., Ltd., Wuhan, China) was employed to create textures on the surface of 65Mn steel samples. Figure 1b shows the basic steps of the laser processing procedure. The laser equipment comprises a laser generator, control console, lifting device, sample platform, and a computer-controlled system. Laser processing is executed using a mirror assembly, scanner, and focusing lens, allowing for precise and consistent operation under computer control. To ensure optimal processing quality, the sample surface must be flat and smooth, which is achieved through careful sample preparation and installation. The lifting device controls the vertical movement of the laser to accomplish precise focusing. Prior to laser processing of the sample, the design of the surface texture should be completed using a computer-aided design software (AutoCAD 2019, Autodesk Inc., San Francisco, CA, USA) and imported into the computer control system. A single-variable approach was employed, wherein other parameters were held constant while the effects of varying scanning speeds (100 mm/s, 200 mm/s, and 300 mm/s) on texture processing outcomes were investigated.

Table 2. Detailed parameters of the laser processing.

Parameters	Frequency (kHz)	Current (A)	Pulse Width (μs)	Scanning Speed (mm/s)	Number of Cycles	Radiation Power (Kw)	Single-Pulse Energy (mJ)
Value	40	1	1	100/200/300	1	0.5	0.5

gives detailed parameters of laser processing in this study.

Micro-dimple circular array with an average diameter of 400 μm and a spacing distance of 405 μm was designed for laser processing, which magnifies the influence of scanning speed on the texture quality. After laser processing, the samples were ultrasonically cleaned in the ethanol solution for 15~20 min and dried with a blower to remove any residue. Each sample was weighed five times using an electronic balance with a precision of 0.001 g (JA4103, Shanghai Sunny Hengping Scientific Instrument Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China) to record as the sample’s original weight. The surface morphology of each sample was obtained using a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) (KYKY-EM6X00, Beijing Zhongke Keyi Co., Ltd., Beijing, China) and an optical microscopy (OM), respectively. A profilometer (VSTA2, THINKFOCUS Shanghai Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China) was used to record the surface profile of each sample. For each different scanning speed, 16 samples were processed using the laser procedure. A total of 64 samples in total, including non-textured samples, were prepared for wear tests.

2.3. Wear Testing

In order to simulate the actual working conditions of rotary tiller blades, a wet sand rubber wheel wear testing machine (MLS-225, Shandong Baohang Machinery Equipment Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Jinan, China) was used in this study. Figure 1c illustrates the principle of this test apparatus, which includes a transmission system, fixture adjustment mechanism, rotational speed control system, electrical components, base, and slurry tank. The setup tries to replicate real contact conditions between the tool and soil, considering the motion characteristics and operational environment of the blades via quartz sand slurry (40~60 mesh), 65Mn steel samples, adjusting the handwheel and weights.

To eliminate the effect of the surface roughness of the rubber wheel, the wheel was ground down about 0.1 mm in diameter using this wear tester with a sandpaper-wrapped steel block before each testing. The 65Mn steel samples were secured in the fixture slot using a clamping plate. Adjusting the handwheel was used to level the load bar (error ≤ 0.10 mm/100 mm). The weight was gently released to ensure the surface of the sample contacted the rubber wheel. The vertical force is directly applied by the weights and fixture rod, and the weight itself is amplified through the action of the lever arm, which then transmits this force to the sample. A total of 1000 mL of deionized water and 1.5 kg of 40~60 mesh quartz sand were mixed in the slurry tank, which was then covered with an acrylic lid. The rotate speed and duration of each wear testing were set to be 100 RPM and 3 h, respectively. Two kinds of normal loads, 70 N and 100 N, were applied for each group of samples, eight samples for each loading condition (

Table 3. Specimens used in the wear tests.

Group Name	Specimen Type	Rotate Speed and Duration	Load (N)	Number of Samples
NT	Non-textured samples	100 rpm and 3 h	70	8
			100	8
SP100	Laser-textured samples under 100 mm/s scanning speed		70	8
			100	8
SP200	Laser-textured samples under 200 mm/s scanning speed		70	8
			100	8
SP300	Laser-textured samples under 300 mm/s scanning speed		70	8
			100	8

).

Following the test, the sample was orderly lifted out, cleaned with water, dried using a blower, and weighed multiple times to calculate its residual weight. With the original weight of each sample, the wear loss can be figured out. The worn surface of each sample was characterized using the aforementioned OM, profilometer, and SEM in sequence without ethanol cleaning and drying procedures between each characterization stage.

3. Results and Discussion

3.1. Fabrication Characterization

The surface features micro-pits, which are reported to have the capabilities to store abrasive particles and generate an additional lubricating effect during friction, thus reducing wear damage [23]. Additionally, the contact area decreased under the effect of the textures, which can further reduce wear loss [24]. This effect is closely related to the surface texture quality. Therefore, to ensure the successful fabrication of the designed textures, the surface morphologies of the laser-textured samples were first analyzed and compared. Figure 2 and Figure 3 show the OM images and texture profiles of the samples at different scanning speeds. For SP100, an excessive amount of laser energy was absorbed by the surface of the steel, and material melting occurred because of the resultant instantaneous ultra-high temperature. Under high-energy laser irradiation, the material surface experiences significant ablation, leading to the formation of molten substances. These molten materials spatter and accumulate at the edges of the texture, forming a recast layer upon cooling (Figure 2). As a result, SP100 texture is the deepest among the three groups (Figure 3a). In contrast, SP200 shows more uniform morphology due to appropriate energy levels, minimizing surface damage and preserving material properties. As the scanning speed further increases, the material absorbs less energy per unit area, and the geometric characteristics are not obvious for SP300 (Figure 3b), leading to the decline of the melting quality inside the texture and the nonuniform melting of internal metal. Different scanning speeds will affect the reflection and absorption characteristics of light, resulting in different colors of the textured surface [25].

3.2. Tribological Performance

In this study, wear loss was calculated using the differences between the masses before and after wear testing. As illustrated in Figure 4, for identical laser parameters, increased wear loss was witnessed for higher loads. This phenomenon can be attributed to the increased compressive force exerted by the rubber wheel on the sample as the load increases, thereby enlarging the contact area between the abrasive material and the sample, thus accelerating surface deformation. For both loading conditions of 70 N and 100 N, the comparison of the wear loss of four groups of samples exhibits the same order as NT > SP100 > SP300 > SP200. It can be seen that the anti-wear performance of the textured samples was influenced by the scanning speed during processing. The disrupted texture of SP100 leads to lower surface strength and hardness compared to other groups of samples, exhibiting worse wear resistance, only slightly better than the non-textured group. Plus, during the friction process, the disrupted surface is prone to flaking, which is detrimental to wear resistance [12]. For SP300, inadequate texture depth and less pronounced geometric features reduced the wear resistance it should have, resulting in slightly falling behind SP200. Therefore, compared to the non-textured samples, LST significantly improved the wear resistance of 65Mn steel, indicating that textured surfaces processed with appropriate scanning speed can effectively protect the material and extend its service life.

3.3. Worn Surface Characterization

Under the loading condition of 70 N, typical OM images, 3D surface topographies, and the surface profiles of the worn surface of the samples are shown in Figure 5. As can be seen, all OM images revealed numerous plowing grooves and dark oxidized areas, but the differences in the worn surface features among the four groups of samples were apparent, as well as the wear depth obtained by the 3D topographies. Non-textured samples exhibited prominent scratches and plowing grooves, along with numerous random cuts and pits, indicative of severe abrasive wear and micro-cutting, while fewer plowing grooves with smaller wear particles were observed in the worn surfaces of the laser-textured samples. OM images and surface profiles showed that SP200 exhibited a smoother surface than SP100 and SP300. Especially on the surface of SP300, distinct scratches and delamination phenomena were evident, characterized by numerous plowing grooves distributed parallel along the wear track. According to the 3D surface topographies, the non-textured sample exhibited significant surface wear, with the deepest wear track as the dark blue region among the four groups, and the average wear scar depth was measured as 60.89 μm. As compared, the laser-textured samples demonstrated shallower grooves and less pronounced scratches, and the wear scar depths of SP100, SP200, and SP300 average at 58.65 μm, 43.04 μm, and 55.89 μm, respectively, significantly lower than that of NT.

These results are consistent with the surface morphology analysis. The texture grooves are able to trap wear debris, suppress particle growth and agglomeration, thereby reducing the plowing effect and resulting in smoother scratches on the sample surface [26]. Therefore, the non-textured surfaces hardly have the ability to retain the wear debris, so that secondary wear occurred once the debris participated in the friction interface, generating significant heat and initiating adhesive wear. For the laser-textured samples, the unbroken texture on the surface of SP200 effectively captured wear debris and prevented the formation of plowing grooves, exhibiting the best wear resistance. However, the disrupted texture on the SP100 surface and the defective texture for SP300 were incapable of providing a sufficient lubricating effect as that of SP200, which affects their wear resistance and the smoothness of the worn surface.

These advantages in the friction-decreasing and anti-wear of SP200 are increasingly apparent when the load increases to 100 N. Figure 6 gives typical OM images, 3D surface topographies, and the surface profiles of the worn surfaces under the loading condition of 100 N. Plowing grooves and oxidized areas are the most significant characterizations for the four groups. Notably, the smoothness of the worn surface of SP200 is significantly better, and the depth of the wear scar on the SP200 surface is 52.29 μm, far less than the other three groups. Given the challenge of conducting a long-term simulation experiment, incorporating a high load in the experimental design serves a dual purpose. It helps not only to reflect the limit performance of the material but also corroborates the conclusions drawn from the low-load condition.

3.4. Wear Mechanism Analysis

To better understand tribological behaviors, worn surface morphologies under the load of 70 N were characterized using SEM, and the typical results are shown in Figure 7. As can be seen, there exist pronounced wear features in the worn surfaces of the non-textured samples, including plowing grooves, pits, cracks, and delamination debris. At the beginning of friction, the complex environment and applied load induced significant local deformation, resulting in crack initiation. With the cracks propagating and deflecting, surface material was progressively removed, leading to peeling off. Fatigue pitting was also observed in the worn area, indicating that significant contact fatigue wear occurred in the friction interface. Along with irregular furrows, a substantial amount of delamination debris was observed, which is primarily attributed to the inability of wear debris to be promptly expelled from the wear interface, resulting in micro-cutting and heat accumulation with the friction prolonging. With the friction continuing, surface softening and thermal stress appeared successively, causing adhesive wear. Ultimately, extensive surface peeling occurred, and the generated debris acted as a third body in the friction interface [26], further exacerbating wear loss and creating deeper furrows and additional debris.

In contrast, the presence of surface textures is essential to trap the debris and prevent the occurrence of three-body wear, reducing micro-cutting and heat accumulation [27]. However, for disrupted and/or defective textures of SP100 and SP300, their abilities to reduce thermal stress and material spalling are greatly compromised. Compared to SP200, on the worn surfaces of SP100 and SP300 can observe more wear debris and localized delamination, representing pitting wear, spalling wear, abrasive wear, and plowing wear. No obvious adhesion of wear debris particles was found on SP200 worn surfaces, and fewer furrows/delamination debris were observed, only accompanied by small pits along the wear track.

As the load applied increases to 100 N, the sample surfaces become more susceptible to damage from quartz sand particles, as shown in Figure 8. Larger abrasive particles embedded into the metal surface under greater pressure, causing severe cutting marks in the wear area. NT displayed large pits, with severe adhesion leading to surface tearing and significant material adhesion. Wear debris nearly covered the entire surface, and fatigue cracks gradually formed as fatigue wear, compression, and the shearing action of quartz sand accumulated. Under this high loading condition, it seems that the textures on laser-processed sample surfaces lose their advantages in resisting wear loss, as all the furrows, spalling pits, numerous wear debris particles, and localized delamination can be observed in the worn area. It indicates that wear debris generated under a high loading condition is too much to be captured by the shallow textures, with the friction continuously increasing.

Table 4. Summary of the wear performance and important characteristics (p < 0.05).

Load (N)	Group	Wear Loss (g)	PoWR (%)	Wear Depth (µm)	Key Observations on Worn Surfaces
70	NT	0.602 ± 0.023	/	60.89 ± 0.25	Pit, crack, furrow, delamination
	SP100	0.579 ± 0.013	3.8	58.65 ± 0.23	Delamination, adhesive particle
	SP200	0.336 ± 0.029	44.2	43.04 ± 0.09	Pit, crack, furrow
	SP300	0.457 ± 0.02	24.1	55.89 ± 0.18	Furrow, spalling, delamination
100	NT	0.751 ± 0.019	/	66.62 ± 0.32	Pit, crack, fatigue pitting, adhesive particle
	SP100	0.702 ± 0.013	6.5	65.44 ± 0.13	Pit, cutting groove, adhesive particle
	SP200	0.479 ± 0.023	36.2	52.29 ± 0.22	Crack, furrow
	SP300	0.598 ± 0.026	20.4	58.08 ± 0.11	Pit, crack, furrow, adhesive particle

summarizes the wear performance, including wear loss and maximum wear depth, and important characteristics of different groups. For each group, the percentage of wear-loss reduction (PoWR), defined by Equation (1), is also included in the table.

$$PoWR={\displaystyle \frac{W_{NT}-W_{SP}}{W_{NT}}}\times 100\mathrm{\%}$$

(1)

where W_NT is the wear loss of NT, W_SP is the wear loss of the SP100, SP200, or SP300. The PoWR serves as a key indicator of the alleviation degree of the wear damage in laser-processed samples compared to the non-textured counterparts. It can be seen that under loading conditions of 70 N and 100 N, the SP200 samples exhibit notably higher PoWR values (44.2% and 36.2%, respectively) in comparison to SP100 (3.8% and 24.1%) and SP300 (6.5% and 20.4%). This observation suggests that sample surfaces featuring disrupted or defective textures are more susceptible to damage when exposed to sandy environments. Consequently, the worn surfaces of SP200 samples are relatively free from common forms of severe damage, such as delamination, adhesive particle accumulation, fatigue pitting, or spalling pits, which are typically observed on surfaces that have suffered extensive wear.

For the textured samples, most of the wear debris accumulated in the texture grooves, reducing the amount of debris in the wear tracks, which is the primary reason for the lighter furrows on the textured surface. Figure 9 further elucidates the mechanism by which surface texturing reduces wear. At the beginning of the wear process, the interface friction undergoes a series of three distinct stages. At stage I of friction, the surface of the sample is worn under the action of pressure, and a small amount of debris is trapped in the texture. The accumulation of debris has a certain pretreatment effect on the subsequent friction process. With the progression of friction, wear intensifies, and a large number of wear particles accumulate in the texture, which means the friction goes into stage II. Under repeated friction cycles, the texture undergoes a certain degree of wear, resulting in stage III friction process and the texture being completely filled. From this point, the wear process enters a relatively stable state until the surface textures are fully worn. The illustration demonstrates that textured surfaces effectively capture third-body debris, thereby preventing additional wear and maintaining a smoother surface with considerably reduced residual debris.

The debris-capturing effect can be further validated through the inclusion of energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) results for the wear tracks. Figure 10 presents the EDS results and the elemental mapping of silicon (Si), signifying the quantity of quartz debris (predominantly composed of SiO₂) trapped in the surface textures. Due to the fact that the surface textures no longer remain after the wear tests, the circular textures cannot be identified on the elemental mapping of the worn surface. However, it is still evident that the Si content on the SP200 surface was higher in comparison to the others, indicating a superior ability in capturing debris during the wear process. These results are in alignment with prior literature. Both Anna Woźniak et al. and Lu et al. found that the surface laser-textures have the capabilities of capturing wear debris using SEM and EDS analysis [28,29]. This leads to a significant reduction in the contact area between the friction surfaces, preventing the accumulation of a large number of wear fragments, demonstrating that surface texturing can effectively inhibit abrasive wear and adhesion wear [30]. Proper texture depth and quality, influenced by laser scanning speed, can definitely affect the wear mechanisms. However, slower scanning speed and longer residence time of the molten pool result in a complex microstructure formed, which affects the effect of mechanical interlocking, while higher scanning speed leads to the generation of high residual stress within the material, affecting the bonding strength between the molten layer and the matrix, thereby influencing the mechanical interlocking effect [31]. Consequently, the disrupted and/or defective surface textures due to improper laser scanning speed decrease the durability of the textures and the effect of the debris capturing, which is also impacted by the insufficient depth of laser textures. For the textures with excessive depth, highly stress concentration in the friction process impairs the anti-wear effect of the laser texture.

Studying the effect of laser scanning speed on the tribological behavior of 65Mn steel rotary tiller blade in quartz sand slurry has the potential to reveal the role of surface microstructure in providing its anti-wear performance. Results showed that a laser scanning speed of 200 mm/s makes the surface texture exhibit the best anti-wear property, especially under the loading condition of 70 N. Although the existence some limitations, such as real-time composition analysis during the wear process, these results, to the best of our knowledge, represent a detailed analysis of the contribution of the laser scanning speed and the surface texture depth to the anti-wear performance of 65Mn steel. The findings of this study will extend the understanding of the tribological enhancements achievable through laser surface texturing and then provide valuable insights into augmenting wear resistance and prolonging the operational lifespan of rotary tiller blades. Our future research will explore the dynamic behaviors of the surface textures during the wear process and the impact of texture geometric shape on tribological performance under actual on-site conditions and in environments with different soil components to comprehensively evaluate the performance of texture design in diverse application scenario, focusing on optimizing texture parameters to extend material service life.

4. Conclusions

In this study, wear tests were conducted on 65Mn steel blade samples using a rotating rubber wheel combined with water-mixed quartz sand. The main focus was to analyze the effect of laser surface texturing on the surface wear resistance. Under different laser scanning speeds and load conditions, the wear behavior of non-textured and laser-textured samples was compared. Based on the given test results and the analysis, the conclusions can be summarized as follows:

(a)

Laser processing treatment significantly improves the wear resistance of 65Mn steel blade through the lubrication effect due to the wear debris capturing ability of the laser processed micro-pits. The surface texture at the scanning speed of 200 mm/s possesses the best anti-wear effect.

(b)

With the increase in applied load, the texture can still reduce the wear damage with an impaired anti-wear effect, due to the gradual flattening of some texture by long-term friction and the crush damage by high load conditions.