A Nd-YAG laser was used for texturing the Ti6Al4V surface with dimples of diameter 50 and 100 µm and centre-to-centre distance 100, 200 and 400 µm, defining the surface texture density. The tribological evaluation was conducted to analyse and compare the behaviour of un-textured and laser-textured samples under water in comparison to oil (PAO6) lubrication without and with the addition of MoS2 nanotubes into the lubricant. MoS2 nanotubes had a positive effect on friction in both media for laser-textured Ti6Al4V. Evaluation of friction and wear in water and PAO6 showed a comparable tribological response in water to oil for specific laser-textured configurations, proving the novel concept of green tribology for laser texturing in combination with MoS2 nanotubes/water lubrication.
Keywords: MoS2 nanotubes; Ti6Al4V alloy; green tribology; lubrication; surface texturing.