Anti-Wear and Anticorrosion Performance of a Superhydrophobic Microtextured Surface Fabricated by Laser Ablation

Abstract

Abstract. To enhance the service performance of aluminum alloy components used in marine engineering under harsh environments, this study introduces Peano fractal geometry into microtexture design and employs laser ablation to fabricate superhydrophobic surfaces on aluminum alloy substrates in a controllable and environmentally conscious manner. A quantitative relationship between laser processing parameters and geometric characteristics of Peano microtextures was established, and their structure-enabled effects on surface wettability, wear behavior, and corrosion resistance were systematically investigated. The results show that the Peano fractal microtextured surface achieves an ultrahigh contact angle of 168.8 deg. Owing to the hierarchically connected groove architecture, the textured surface exhibits enhanced lubricant storage capacity and wear debris trapping ability, leading to a significant reduction in the coefficient of friction (COF) and wear-rate. Meanwhile, the synergistic action of a stable trapped air layer and a low-surface-energy interfacial film effectively isolates corrosive ions and suppresses charge transfer, thereby markedly reducing the corrosion rate. More importantly, the findings reveal that the laser-fabricated Peano microtexture plays a decisive role in enabling the simultaneous improvement of superhydrophobicity, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance, highlighting a structure-driven rather than chemistry-dependent enhancement mechanism. This work provides an efficient and controllable surface design strategy for developing multifunctional aluminum alloy surfaces and offers valuable guidance for improving the service performance of offshore engineering equipment.