Roughness measurement

Surface roughness measurement for sensitive surfaces

Fast and precise determination of surface roughness in micrometres!
Quick and targeted measurement of surface roughness plays a key role in industries subject to stringent hygiene regulations, such as medical technology and the foodstuff industry. These days it is increasingly accepted that the surface quality, and thus the determination of the surface roughness, is key to establishing the corrosion resistance characteristics of a material. However, the roughness measurement is just one part of the overall view of the surface finish. The nature of the ridges and possible overlaps are not recorded by the surface roughness tester, and need to be determined separately to provide a complete assessment. As research results show, microscopic and cross-sectional examinations are also extremely important. That said, the device provides important initial indications concerning the state of the surface.

For example, a rough and badly ground surface on Mat. 1.4404 can result in worse corrosion resistance characteristics than a surface that is properly ground and smooth, or electropolished on Mat. 1.4301!

This makes it clear that, apart from the material itself, the choice of surface is one of the key selection criteria when it comes to ensuring the correct corrosion resistance characteristics. Your surface quality check should include an analysis and confirmation of material surface roughness!

The surface is precisely scanned along a length of up to 12.5 mm.
This allows a range of average roughness values to be measured:
arithmetical mean roughness Ra, root mean square roughness Rq, peak-to-valley height Rz, etc.