Superhydrophobic surface preparation and tribological properties of Ti-1023 alloy with parallel groove

Superhydrophobic surfaces are increasingly vital in materials science due to their exceptional properties such as water repellency, self-cleaning, and corrosion resistance. However, fabricating these surfaces on metal substrates poses significant challenges, including the need for precise control over micro- and nano-structures and ensuring their durability under mechanical and environmental stresses. This study introduces a novel fabrication method for superhydrophobic surfaces on Ti-1023 alloy utilizing nanosecond laser ablation followed by chemical modification with perfluorodecyltriethoxysilane. This technique allows precise microstructural adjustments and enhanced durability. Our findings demonstrate that a groove spacing (GS) of 100 mu m optimizes the water contact angle to 162.8 degrees and the water sliding angle to 7.8 degrees. Meanwhile, a GS of 200 mu m minimizes the coefficient of friction to 0.176 under starved-water lubrication conditions. These advancements demonstrate the method's effectiveness in reducing wear and friction, and highlight its potential in aerospace and other high-performance industries.