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SURFACE ROUGHNESS

Surface Roughness : It concerns all those irregularities which are there on the
surface and are conventionally defined within the area.
(Deviations of form/wariness are eliminated) i.e. secondary texture that result
from deflection of work or warpage etc.

Let us imagine a sample contour of a machined surface. From a reference

plane x-x (imaginary), let the deviations the A, B---------R.

A) CLA Method
The American Standards association specifies the arithmetic average
defined by
Y = 1/L -----y dx
As the standard unit for roughness.
Where Y = The arithmetic average deviation. (Ra)
y = the ordinate of the curve profile from the center line
L = the length over which the average is taken.

B) RMS Method
Many roughness measuring systems using tracer method yield the r.m.s.
average.
RMS Y = y2
N
On a given surface RMS value is generally 11% higher than CLA value.

C) Relative values of surface finish.

Common Name r m s roughness

µ in µ m (microns)
Mirror 4 0.1
Polished 8 0.2
Ground 16 0.4
Smooth 32 0.8
Fine 63 1.6
Semi fine 125 3.2
Medium 250 6.4
Semi rough 500 12.7
Rough 1000 25.4
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(Average Peak to Peak values will be around 3 to 4 times the r.m.s. value.)

Symbols

8 to 25
1.6 to 8

0.025 to 1.6

< 0.025

D. Manufacturing processes.

Process : Ra (microns)
Sand cast : 5-50
Die-Cast : 0.8-3.2
Hot rolling : 2.5-50
Forging : 1.6-25
Extrusion : .16-5
Hand grinding : 6.3-25
Drilling : 1.6-20
Turning & milling : 0.32-25
Boring/reaming/Broach : 0.4-3.2
Lapping : 0.012-0.16
Polishing : 0.04-0.16
Burnishing : 0.04-0.8

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