Basic Components & Elements of Surface Topography

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Skid and Skidless Measuring Equipment

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Surface Profile Measurement Lengths

Sampling Length (l) Assessment (Evaluation) Length (L) Traversing Length

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Cutoff Selection Effect on Surface Finish Measurement

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Recommended Cutoffs for Different Surface Finishes

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Traditional Surface Texture Parameters and Functions

Some of these parameters can also be calculated from unfiltered and waviness profiles. (P and W families of parameters)

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Ra = AA = CLA Rq = RMS
On majority of prints only Ra is specified.

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Roughness Average Ra

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Ra Roughness Average
Advantages The most commonly used parameter to monitor a production process. Default parameter on a drawing if not otherwise specified. Available even in the least sophisticated instruments. Statistically a very stable, repeatable parameter. Good for random type surfaces, such as grinding. A good parameter where a process is under control and where the conditions are always the same, e.g. cutting tips, speeds, feeds, cutting fluid (lubricant). Disadvantages Not a good discriminator for different types of surfaces (no distinction is made between peaks and valleys). Not very informative on surfaces with Rsk outside 2. Not a good measure of sealed surfaces.

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Ra, Rq Parameters
Roughness average Ra is the arithmetic average of the absolute values of the roughness profile ordinates.

Root mean square (RMS) roughness Rq is the root mean square average of the roughness profile ordinates.

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Rq Root Mean Roughness

Rq is more sensitive to peaks and valleys then Ra, because the amplitudes are squared. Applications Very similar to Ra, which practically replaced it for general use. Used to control very fine surfaces in scientific measurements and statistical evaluations.

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Rz, Rmax Parameter

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Rz Mean Peak-to-Valley Height Rmax Maximum Peak-to-Valley Height

Applications
Rz is more sensitive than Ra to changes in surface finish as maximum profile heights and not averages are being examined. Rmax is useful for surfaces where a single defect is not permissible, e.g. a seal with a single scratch. Rz and Rmax are used together to monitor the variations of surface finish in a production process. Similar values of Rz and Rmax indicate a consistent surface finish, while a significant difference indicates a surface defect in an otherwise consistent surface.

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Rp, Rpm Parameter

The Mean Leveling Depth Rpm is the mean of five leveling depths of five successive sample lengths l. Rpm = 1/5 (Rp1 + Rp2 + Rp3 + Rp4 + Rp5) The Leveling Depth Rp is also the largest of the five leveling depths. The Maximum Roughness Depth Rt (peak to valley height) is the vertical distance between the highest peak and the lowest valley of the roughness profile R within the evaluation length L.

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Rp and Rpm
Rp, per ISO 4287, is the max height of any peak to the mean line within one sampling length. Rpm, the mean leveling depth - per rules of ISO 4288, is an averaging of Rp over 5 cutoffs; according to ASME B46.1-2002, Rp calculated over the evaluation length is Rpm. Many instruments, e.g., M2 Series, measure Rpm but report the result as Rp. Applications Rpm is useful in predicting bearing characteristics of a surface. A low value of Rpm and large value of Rz indicates a plateau surface The ratio Rpm/Rz quantifies the asymmetry of profile. Rpm is recommended for bearing and sliding surfaces and surface substrates prior to coating. Rv is a good parameter where stress is a major factor. Rp is a good parameter to control coating quality.
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R3Z, R3zmax Parameters

Per Daimler Benz Corporate Standard N31007:19835 sampling length. R mean third highest peak-to-valley height over
3z

R3zmax maximum third highest peak-to-valley height of the 5 third highest peak-to-valley height.

R3z disregards the 2 highest peaks and deepest valleys that have little effect on the surface performance, with the intent to reduce the instability of peak parameters (such as Rz), by ignoring profile extremes. Applications Sealing Surfaces Porous Surfaces
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Bearing Length Ratio tp (Rmr)

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Bearing Area Curve (BAC)

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Different Methods of tp (Rmr) BAC Evaluation

Applications Probable run-in behavior and wear resistance of surfaces such as sliding and rolling faces (e.g., cylinder liners). Seals, bearings, electrical and thermal controls, adhesives, coatings, etc.
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Pc (RPc) Peak Count Nr Normalized Peak Count

The peak count is the number of local roughness peaks which project through a selectable band centered about the mean line. The count is determined over the evaluation length and is reported in peaks per cm or inch.

HSC (RHSC) High Spot Count

The number of roughness peaks, reported in peaks per cm, projecting through the mean line, or a line parallel to it, at a selected distance above or below the mean line.

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Pc (RPc), Nr HSC (RHSC)

Applications
Sheet metal industry to measure quality of surfaces subjected to bending, forming and painting and where appearance is critical. General adhesion and coating applications.

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Rk Family of Parameters
A1 A2 Rk Rpk Rvk Mr1 Mr2 Rpkx (Rpk*) Rvkx (Rvk*) Material filled profile peak area Lubricant filled profile valley area Core roughness depth Reduced peak height Reduced valley depth Material component relative to peaks Material component relative to valleys Total Peak Height Total Valley Depth

Applications

Multiprocessed, multipurpose surfaces, such as plateau honed Sintered, porous surfaces

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Waviness Height - Wt
Sum of the largest peak height and the largest valley depth of waviness profile within evaluation length L

Applications To monitor processes where in addition to roughness, waviness, possibly caused by vibrations (both within the machine and external), is also critical. e.g. cylinder head waviness of the sealing surface produced on a vertical mill largely depends on the alignment of the cutting tips in the milling head.

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Parameters Defined in ASME B46.1-2002

Ra Arithmetic Average Deviation of the Assessed Profile Rq Root Mean Square Deviation of the Assessed Profile Rp Maximum Profile Peak Height Rv Maximum Profile Valley Depth Rt Maximum Height of the Profile Rpm Average Maximum Profile Peak Height Rz Average Maximum Height of the Profile Rmax Maximum Roughness Depth Sm Mean Spacing of Profile Irregularities Pc Peak Density

Corresponding Parameters in ISO 4287-1997

Ra Rq Rp Rv Rt ---Ry ---Rsm ----

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Parameters Defined in ASME B46.1-2002

Corresponding Parameters in ISO 4287-1997

tp Htp Rsk Wt Rku a q

Profile Bearing Ratio Difference in the Heights for Two tp Ratios Skewness Waviness Height Kurtosis Average Absolute Slope Root Mean Square Slope

Rmr(c) Rc Rsk Wt Rku ---Rdq

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ISO Standards on Surface Finish

ISO 1302 - 2001 ISO 3274 - 1996 ISO 4287 - 1997 ISO 4288 - 1996 ISO 5436-1 - 2000 ISO 5436-2 - 2000 ISO 8785 - 1999 ISO 11562 - 1996 ISO 12085 - 1996 ISO 12179 - 2000 ISO 13565 - 1996 Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Indication of Surface Texture Nominal Characteristics of Contact (Stylus) Instruments Terms, Definition and Surface Texture Parameters Rules and Procedures for Assessment of Surface Texture Calibration, Measurement Standards Calibration, Soft Gages Surface Imperfections - Terms, Definitions and Parameters Metrological Characteristics of Phase Correct Filters Motif Parameters Calibration of Contact (Stylus) Instruments Characterization of Surfaces Having Stratified Functional Properties Filtering and General Measurement Conditions Height Characterization using the Linear Ratio Curve Conditions Height Characterization using the Material Probability Curve of Surfaces Consisting of Two Vertical Random Components

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Rz to Ra Conversion

BS 1134/1-1972 Siemens Recommendations

Rz = x4 - x7 Ra Rz = x4 - x10 Ra

Actual ratio depends upon the shape of the profile.

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Surface Texture Symbols

ASME Y14.36M-1996 ISO 1302-1992
b a c e d f e d x a b a = one single parameter and sampling length or cutoff b = other parameters c = production method, treatment,coating d = direction of lay e = material removal allowance x = not to be used = material removal symbol

ISO 1302-2000
c

a = roughness value Ra b = production method, treatment, coating, other text, or note callout c = roughness cutoff or sampling length d = direction of lay e = minimum material removal requirement f = roughness value other than Ra preceded by its parameter symbol (e.g. Rz 0.4) = material removal symbol

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Different Methods of Designating Ra 32

Symbol
32 AA 32 CLA 32 AARH RNR 0.8 0.8a

Standard
ANSI B46.1-1962 BS 1134-1961 Rare US Designation Old US MIL Specifications JIS B0601-1976 JIS B0601-1976 DIN3141-1960

0.8

JIS B0601-1976 N6 CH 18
0.8
Ra 0.8

ISO 1302-1978 Charmilles VDI 3400 ASME Y14.36M-1996 ISO 1302-2002 Common US Designation 800-875-4243 ISO 1302-1978

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WHERE DO WE GO WRONG IN SURFACE FINISH GAGING?

Including Flaws and Defects into the Measurements Inattention to Leveling Not Taking Into Consideration Environmental Conditions Not Understanding Calibration Procedures and Limitations Ignoring Advanced Gage Functions

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