Bio-inspired low frictional surfaces having micro-dimple arrays prepared with honeycomb patterned porous films as wet etching masks

Some kinds of snakes have micro-dimple arrays on their skins and show low frictional properties. Cost-effective and simple preparation methods of surfaces having micro-dimple arrays without burrs have been required. In this study, micro-dimple arrays were successfully prepared on aluminum plates and pipes by using honeycomb patterned porous films as wet etching masks. Resulting surfaces having 5 and 8 μm dimple diameters show low frictional coefficients compared with polished surfaces at a fluid lubrication regime.