Surface roughness : often shortened to roughness, is a measure of the

texture of a surface. It is quantified by the vertical deviations of a real surface

from its ideal form. If these deviations are large, the surface is rough; if they are
small the surface is smooth. Roughness is typically considered to be the high
frequency, short wavelength component of a measured surface.

Surface roughness parameter :

1. Actual Profile Af : It is the profile of the actual surface obtained by finishing
operation.
2. Reference Profile Rf : It is the profile to which the irregularities of the surface
are referred to. It passes through the highest point of the actual profile.
3. Datum Profile Df : It is the profile, parallel to the reference profile. It passes
through the lowest point B of the actual profile.
4. Mean Profile Mf : It is that profile, within the sampling length chosen (L), such
that the sum of the material-filled areas enclosed above it by the actual
profile is equal to the sum of the material-void areas enclosed below it by
the profile.
5. Peak to valley height Rt : It is the distance from the datum profile to the
reference profile.
6. Mean Roughness Index Ra : It is the arithmetic mean of the absolute values
of the heights hi between the actual and mean profiles. It is given by

Surface roughness values are usually expressed as the Ra value in microns.

The surface roughness may be measured, using any one of the

following :

1. Straightedge
Straightedges are used in the
automotive service and machining
industry to check the flatness of
machined mating surfaces

2. Optical flat
are optical-grade pieces of glass
lapped
and
polished
to
be
extremely flat on one or both sides,
usually within a few millionths of an
inch (about 25 nanometers). They
are used with a monochromatic
light to determine the flatness of
other
optical
surfaces
by
interference.

3. Tool makers microscope

Use it to verify surface finishes,
measure
surface
defects
and
hardness test indentations, and
verify small parts alignment.

4. Profilometer
is a measuring instrument used to
measure a surface's profile, in order
to quantify its roughness.

5. Profilograph
is a device used to measure
pavement surface roughness

6. Talysurf
It is an instrument used to measure
surface
finish
or
texture
in
mechanical engineering.

Machining Symbols
The basic symbol consists of two legs of unequal length, inclined at
approximately 60 to the line, representing the surface considered (Fig. a). This
symbol may be used where it is necessary to indicate that the surface is
machined, without indicating the grade of roughness or the process to be used.
If the removal of material is not permitted, a circle is added to the basic
symbol, as shown in Fig. b. This symbol may also be used in a drawing, relating
to a production process, to indicate that a surface is to be left in the state,
resulting from a preceding manufacturing process, whether this state was
achieved by removal of material or otherwise. If the removal of material by
machining is required, a bar is added to the basic symbol, as shown in Fig. c.
When special surface characteristics have to be indicated, a line is added to the
longer arm of the basic symbol, as shown in Fig. d.

Indication of Surface Roughness :

The value or values, defining the principal criterion of roughness, are added to
the symbol as shown in Fig.

A surface texture specified,

as in Fig. a, may be obtained by any production method.
as in Fig. b, must be obtained by removal of material by machining.

as in Fig. c, must be obtained without removal of material.

When only one value is specified to indicate surface roughness, it represents the
maximum permissible value. If it is necessary to impose maximum and
minimum limits of surface roughness, both the values should be shown, with the
maximum limit, a1, above the minimum limit, a2 (Fig. 16.4a).
The principal criterion of surface roughness, Ra may be indicated by the
corresponding roughness grade number, as shown in Table.
Equivalent surface roughness symbols

Indication of Special Surface Roughness Characteristics

In certain circumstances, for functional reasons, it may be necessary to specify
additional special requirements, concerning surface roughness.
If it is required that the final surface texture be produced by one particular
production method, this method should be indicated on an extension of the
longer arm of the symbol as shown in Fig. 16.4b. Also, any indications relating to
treatment of coating may be given on the extension of the longer arm of the
symbol.
Unless otherwise stated, the numerical value of the roughness, applies to the
surface roughness after treatment or coating. If it is necessary to define surface
texture, both before and after treatment, this should be explained by a suitable
note or as shown in Fig. 16.4c.
If it is necessary to indicate the sampling length, it should be selected from the
series given in ISO/R 468 and be stated adjacent to the symbol, as shown in Fig.
16.4d. If it is necessary to control the direction of lay, it is specified by a symbol
added to the surface roughness symbol, as shown in Fig. 16.4e.

When it is necessary to specify the value of the machining allowance, this

should be indicated on the left of the symbol, as shown in Fig a. This value is
expressed normally in millimeters.
Figure b shows the various specifications of surface roughness, placed relative
to the symbol.

NOTE The direction of lay is the direction of the predominant surface pattern,
ordinarily determined by the production method employed. Table 16.3 shows
the symbols which specify the common directions of lay.
Symbols specifying the directions of lay