Thick-film printing of TaS₂ soft films on the textured surface to enhance wear life

As an additive manufacturing technology, 3D printing has become the new trend of film preparation in the future. Electrohydrodynamic atomization (EHDA), a new additive manufacturing technique, can produce films with a wide range of thicknesses. Although the synergistic effect of soft films and textured surfaces can effectively improve the tribological properties of the substrate, there are still problems such as poor interface bonding and short film life. Research into new microtextured and soft film materials is an important part of expanding the use of ceramic cutting tools in metal cutting applications. Herein, biomimetic Nepenthe convex textures and TaS2 soft films were prepared on the surface of Al2O3/TiC ceramic using nanosecond laser and EHDA processes, respectively. The results reveal that TaS2 films printed on biomimetic textured substrates had a longer wear life and lower wear rate. The synergistic effect of TaS2 films and biomimetic textures exhibits the best effect in reducing wear and improving the wear life of the substrate, which are expected to become a promising way to improve the tribological properties of Al2O3/TiC ceramic.