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Study on Laser Surface Texturing and Wettability Control of Silicon Nitride Ceramic
Hong-Jian Wang1,2, Jing-De Huang1, Bo Wang1
1School of Intelligent Manufacturing and Aeronautics, Zhuhai College of Science and Technology, Zhuhai 519040, China.
Micromachines
|July 30, 2025
Summary
Laser surface texturing of silicon nitride (Si3N4) ceramic with rectangular grooves alters surface wettability. Optimized texturing parameters enhance hydrophilicity or hydrophobicity, impacting material performance.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Surface Engineering
- Ceramic Processing
Background:
- Silicon nitride (Si3N4) ceramic is crucial for structural components, with surface wettability influencing material lifespan.
- Laser surface texturing offers a method to control wettability by creating specific surface patterns.
- Rectangular patterns are explored for applications in heat transfer and hydrodynamic lubrication.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of laser surface texturing on Si3N4 ceramic using rectangular patterns.
- To analyze the influence of scanning speed and number of scans on groove morphology and dimensions.
- To evaluate the resulting changes in surface wettability.
Main Methods:
- Laser surface texturing of Si3N4 ceramic with rectangular patterns.
- Systematic variation of scanning speed and number of scans.
- Analysis of groove morphology, dimensions, and elemental composition using surface analysis techniques.
- Measurement of water droplet contact angles to assess wettability.
Main Results:
- Higher scanning speeds and fewer scans minimized surface damage.
- Groove width and depth initially decreased with increased scanning speed, then fluctuated.
- Increased number of scans led to groove dimensions that eventually stabilized.
- Laser texturing in air caused an increase in oxygen content within grooves due to chemical reactions.
- Surface texturing significantly increased the water contact angle from 35.51° to 57.52°.
- Smaller groove volumes correlated with improved wettability, showing hydrophilicity at lower speeds and hydrophobicity with fewer scans.
Conclusions:
- Laser surface texturing effectively modifies the wettability of Si3N4 ceramic.
- Scanning speed and number of scans are critical parameters controlling groove dimensions and surface properties.
- The observed changes in wettability are linked to groove geometry and surface chemistry modifications.
- Tailored surface texturing can enhance material performance in applications like heat transfer and lubrication.
