Friction-Reduction Mechanism and Performance Optimization of Biomimetic Non-Smooth Surfaces Inspired by Dung Beetle Microstructures
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Agricultural machinery components suffer from severe soft abrasive wear when interacting with flexible materials like rice stalks. To address this, we investigate the friction-reduction mechanism, parameter optimization, and experimental validation of a biomimetic non-smooth surface inspired by the dung beetle’s microstructure. The bionic design was first established by characterizing the beetle’s unique micro-bump array. To ensure simulation accuracy, the critical bonding parameters of a flexible rice stalk DEM model were precisely calibrated via three-point bending tests combined with Response Surface Methodology (RSM). Subsequent DEM simulations revealed that the bionic surface disrupts continuous sliding by reducing the contact area and inducing high-frequency micro-vibrations in the stalk. Using RSM, the bump geometry was systematically optimized, yielding an optimal combination of a 2.975 mm diameter and a 1.0 mm spacing, which theoretically reduces the average normal contact force by 69.3%. Finally, reciprocating wear tests confirmed that the optimized bio-inspired surface exhibited significantly lower mass loss and effectively suppressed the formation of plowing grooves compared to a smooth surface, showing high agreement with simulation predictions. This study provides both a fundamental understanding of the friction-reduction mechanism and precise quantitative guidance for engineering wear-resistant agricultural components.
Source: Lubricants
Authors: Honglei Zhang, Liquan Tian, Zhong Tang, Meng Fang, Biao Zhang
Language: English
Subfield: Mechanical Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,137
Awards: G440952594, G6424882334, G7069012242
OpenAlex ID: W4416088795