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Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of surface texture with roughness orientation considered on tribological properties under a mixed lubrication state numerically and experimentally. Design/methodology/approach: Based on the average Reynolds equation and asperity contact model, the impacts of surface texture parameters and roughness orientation on lubrication properties have been calculated using finite difference method. Tin–bronze samples with various prescribed surface texture geometric parameters and roughness orientation were fabricated by laser surface texturing technique, and the tribology performance of the textured surface was studied experimentally. Findings: The effects of surface geometric parameters and roughness orientation parameters have been discerned. The experimental observations are in good agreement with the numerical prediction, which suggests that the numerical scheme adopted in this work is suitable in capturing the surface texture and roughness effect under mixed lubrication state. Originality/value: By meticulously controlling the surface roughness and surface texture geometric characteristics based on the laser surface texturing process, samples with prescribed surface texture parameters and roughness orientation consistent with that in theoretical studies were fabricated and the theoretical model and results were verified experimentally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]