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Lubricants
Special Issues
Surface Machining and Tribology
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Surface Machining and Tribology

A special issue of Lubricants (ISSN 2075-4442).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2026 | Viewed by 2891

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Yuanyuan Tian

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Singapore City, Singapore
Interests: advanced structural materials; mechanical and tribological behaviors; additive manufacturing; precision machining; molecular dynamics simulation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Hao Hu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Hunan Key Laboratory of Ultra-Precision Machining Technology, Changsha 410073, China
Interests: precision engineering; tribology; measurement; grinding; surface
Dr. Chunyang Du

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Hunan Key Laboratory of Ultra-Precision Machining Technology, Changsha 410073, China
Interests: ultra-precision machining; ion beam sputtering; metal optics; tribology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue of Lubricants, titled "Surface Machining and Tribology", aims to explore the latest advancements and research at the intersection of surface machining and tribology. Surface machining processes, such as grinding, milling, turning, and polishing, play a crucial role in defining the surface characteristics of materials, directly impacting their tribological performance, including friction, wear, and lubrication. Understanding the intricate relationship between surface machining parameters and tribological properties is essential for optimizing material performance in various industrial applications, from automotive to aerospace and biomedical engineering.

This Issue welcomes contributions from researchers and professionals working on experimental, theoretical, and computational approaches to surface machining and tribology. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, advanced surface finishing techniques, surface texture analysis, tribological behavior of machined surfaces, wear mechanisms, novel lubricants and coatings, and the impact of machining-induced microstructural changes on tribological performance. By bringing together insights from these interconnected fields, this Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how machining processes can be tailored to enhance surface functionality and durability, driving innovation in the design of high-performance materials and components.

Dr. Yuanyuan Tian
Dr. Hao Hu
Dr. Chunyang Du
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Lubricants is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • surface machining
  • tribology
  • lubrication
  • surface treatment
  • industrial application

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 4558 KB  
Article
Investigation of Friction Enhancement Behavior on Textured U75V Steel Surface and Its Friction Vibration Characteristic
by Jinbo Zhou, Zhiqiang Wang, Linfeng Min, Jingyi Wang, Yongqiang Wang, Zhixiong Bai and Mingxue Shen
Lubricants 2025, 13(12), 532; https://doi.org/10.3390/lubricants13120532 - 7 Dec 2025
Viewed by 285
Abstract
The wheel–rail friction coefficient is a critical factor influencing train traction and braking performance. Low-adhesion conditions not only limit the enhancement of railway transport capacity but are also the primary cause of surface damage such as scratches, delamination, and flat spots. This study [...] Read more.
The wheel–rail friction coefficient is a critical factor influencing train traction and braking performance. Low-adhesion conditions not only limit the enhancement of railway transport capacity but are also the primary cause of surface damage such as scratches, delamination, and flat spots. This study employs femtosecond laser technology to fabricate wavy groove textures on U75V rail surfaces, systematically investigating the effects of the wavy angle and texture area ratio on friction enhancement under various medium conditions. Findings indicate that parameter-optimized textured surfaces not only significantly increase the coefficient of friction but also exhibit superior wear resistance, vibration damping, and noise reduction properties. The optimally designed wavy textured surface achieves significant friction enhancement under water conditions. Among the tested configurations, the surface with parameters θ = 150°@η = 30% demonstrated the most pronounced friction enhancement, achieving a coefficient of friction as high as 0.57—a 42.5% increase compared to the non-textured surface (NTS). This enhancement is attributed to the unique hydrophilic and anisotropic characteristics of the textured surface, where droplets tend to spread perpendicular to the sliding direction, thereby hindering the formation of a continuous lubricating film as a third body. Analysis of friction vibration signals reveals that textured surfaces exhibit lower vibration signal amplitudes and richer frequency components. Furthermore, comparison of Stribeck curves under different lubrication regimes for the θ = 150°@η = 30% specimen and NTS indicated an overall upward shift in the curve for the textured sample. The amplitude, energy, and wear extent of the textured surface consistently decreased across boundary lubrication, hydrodynamic lubrication, and mixed lubrication regimes. These findings provide crucial theoretical insights and technical guidance for addressing low-adhesion issues at the wheel–rail interface, offering significant potential to enhance wheel–rail adhesion characteristics in engineering applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Surface Machining and Tribology)
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38 pages, 7997 KB  
Article
Investigation of Thermo-Mechanical Characteristics in Friction Stir Processing of AZ91 Surface Composite: Novel Study Through SPH Analysis
by Roshan Vijay Marode, Tamiru Alemu Lemma, Srinivasa Rao Pedapati, Sambhaji Kusekar, Vyankatesh Dhanraj Birajdar and Adeel Hassan
Lubricants 2025, 13(10), 450; https://doi.org/10.3390/lubricants13100450 - 16 Oct 2025
Viewed by 645
Abstract
The current study examines the influence of tool rotational speed (TRS) and reinforcement volume fraction (%vol.) of SiC on particle distribution in the stir zone (SZ) of AZ91 Mg alloy. Two parameter sets were analyzed: S1 (500 rpm TRS, 13% vol.) and S2 [...] Read more.
The current study examines the influence of tool rotational speed (TRS) and reinforcement volume fraction (%vol.) of SiC on particle distribution in the stir zone (SZ) of AZ91 Mg alloy. Two parameter sets were analyzed: S1 (500 rpm TRS, 13% vol.) and S2 (1500 rpm TRS, 10% vol.), with a constant tool traverse speed (TTS) of 60 mm/min. SPH simulations revealed that in S1, lower TRS resulted in limited SiC displacement, leading to significant agglomeration zones, particularly along the advancing side (AS) and beneath the tool pin. Cross-sectional observations at 15 mm and 20 mm from the plunging phase indicated the formation of reinforcement clusters along the tool path, with inadequate SiC transference to the retreating side (RS). The reduced stirring force in S1 caused poor reinforcement dispersion, with most SiC nodes settling at the SZ bottom due to insufficient upward movement. In contrast, S2 demonstrated enhanced particle mobility due to higher TRS, improving reinforcement homogeneity. Intense stirring facilitated lateral and upward SiC movement, forming an interconnected reinforcement network. SPH nodes exhibited improved dispersion, with particles across the SZ and more evenly deposited on the RS. A comparative assessment of experimental and simulated reinforcement distributions confirmed a strong correlation. Results highlight the pivotal role of TRS in reinforcement movement and agglomeration control. Higher TRS enhances stirring and promotes uniform SiC dispersion, whereas an excessive reinforcement fraction increases matrix viscosity and restricts particle mobility. Thus, optimizing TRS and reinforcement content through numerical analysis using SPH is essential for producing a homogeneous, well-reinforced composite layer with improved surface properties. The findings of this study have significant practical applications, particularly in industrial material selection, improving manufacturing processes, and developing more efficient surface composites, thereby enhancing the overall performance and reliability of Mg alloys in engineering applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Surface Machining and Tribology)
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17 pages, 6027 KB  
Article
Dynamic Response and Lubrication Performance of Spur Gear Pair Under Time-Varying Rotation Speeds
by Jiaxing Pei, Yuanyuan Tian, Hongjuan Hou, Yourui Tao, Miaojie Wu and Zhigang Guan
Lubricants 2025, 13(1), 15; https://doi.org/10.3390/lubricants13010015 - 3 Jan 2025
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1492
Abstract
The rotation speed directly influences the vibration and lubrication behaviors of gear pairs, but studying the effects of time-varying rotation speeds during their operation poses substantial challenges. The present work proposed an approach to analyzing the dynamic response and lubrication performance of spur [...] Read more.
The rotation speed directly influences the vibration and lubrication behaviors of gear pairs, but studying the effects of time-varying rotation speeds during their operation poses substantial challenges. The present work proposed an approach to analyzing the dynamic response and lubrication performance of spur gear pairs under time-varying rotation speeds. A single-degree-of-freedom torsional dynamics model was established to capture the vibration responses and meshing forces of a gear pair, with the meshing stiffness modulated by the time-varying rotation speed. Additionally, a transient elastohydrodynamic lubrication model of the gear system was proposed to obtain the pressure pro-file and film shape, incorporating the effects of time-varying rotation speeds. Three types of time-varying rotation speeds were investigated: acceleration, deceleration, and oscillation. The results reveal that the time-varying rotation speed induces chaotic motion of the gear system, resulting in significant changes in the dynamic meshing force, entrainment velocity, and curvature radius of the gear pair compared to those in constant-speed scenarios. The lubrication performance under time-varying rotation speeds also shows diverse dynamic characteristics, highlighting significant differences from that observed under a constant rotation speed. These insights contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of gear dynamics under realistic operating conditions, enhancing gears’ performance and reliability in practical applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Surface Machining and Tribology)
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