Welcome to the Surface Roughness Analysis Blog
Why do brakes squeak? When will a gasket leak? What caused the haziness in my painted finish?
Surface texture and function are tightly linked. Understanding the relationship between texture and function, and sharing that information with engineers and quality professionals, is what Michigan Metrology is all about.
The articles in this blog explore the concepts of surface texture analysis and measurement. We show how you can apply these concepts to solve problems related to leaks, squeaks, appearance, wear, noise, fit, friction, vibration, adhesion, and many other functions.
Looking for more information on specific surface texture parameters? Visit our Surface Texture Parameters Glossary for an introduction to dozens of 3D surface roughness analysis parameters.
And, if you want to learn much more about surface texture consider attending our online and in-person classes for an immersive introduction to the many concepts in surface analysis.
![Leaks and Surface Roughness - Rotary lip seal leaks due to macro lead and micro lead](https://michmet.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/michigan_metrology-macro_vs_micro_lead-thumbnail-wpv_300x198_center_center.jpg)
Micro vs macro lead
June 28, 2022Rotary lip seals create a boundary around shafts in rotary equipment, typically to retain lubricant on one side versus air or gas on the other. On first consideration, it would
![Surface roughness - average roughness ra changes with cutoff wavelength - Michigan Metrology](https://michmet.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/michigan_metrology-average-roughness-depends-on-cutoff-wpv_300x198_center_center.jpg)
Ra changes when the cutoff changes
June 21, 2022The Roughness Average, or average roughness parameter, Ra, is the average of the surface heights of every point along the “roughness profile.” Its equivalent for areal (3D) measurements is the
![Surface Texture Answer Book - Carl Musolff and Mark Malburg](https://michmet.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/surface_texture_answer_book_musolff-malburg_cropped-wpv_300x198_center_center.jpg)
The Surface Texture Answer Book
June 15, 2022I’ve been working with surface roughness for over 30 years…yet I am always looking for ways to expand my knowledge. This book has been in heavy rotation for me since
![Stylus profilometer and optical profiler correlate - Surface Roughness Analysis Blog - Michigan Metrology](https://michmet.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/michigan_metrology-correlation-wpv_300x198_center_center.jpg)
Can stylus and optical measurements correlate?
June 8, 2022Many companies use both stylus and optical measurement technologies to measure surface texture. A question that we are often asked is, “Can the measurements between these different systems correlate, and
![](https://michmet.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/michigan_metrology-stitching_three_coins-wpv_300x198_center_center.jpeg)
Why stitch surface texture data?
June 1, 2022How would you go about measuring these coins? In terms of value, the most precious would likely depend upon your age, and possibly the time left on your parking meter!
![sliding friction - surface roughness analysis blog - michigan metrology](https://michmet.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/michigan_metrology-safe_sliding_thumbnail_2-wpv_300x198_center_center.jpg)
Smoother is better…?
May 25, 2022It’s a common intuition that smoother surface texture is “better” for rotating or sliding over another component. It seems natural that a smoother surface would wear less, have lower friction,
![](https://michmet.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/michigan_metrology-f-operator-thumbnail-wpv_300x198_center_center.jpeg)
What is the F-Operator (and why can’t I find it on my machine)?
May 18, 2022You may have heard the term “F-Operator” and wondered what it is, and how it’s used. As we mention often, surface texture consists of a spectrum of spatial wavelengths, ranging
![](https://michmet.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/michigan_metrology-austria_switzerland-wpv_300x198_center_center.jpeg)
Real area of contact
May 11, 2022Scientists and philosophers through the ages have struggled with the concepts of friction. Leonardo da Vinci studied many aspects of friction, bearings, etc. In one set of experiments, he tied
![](https://michmet.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/michigan_metrology-sticky_secret_science_of_surfaces-wpv_300x198_center_center.jpeg)
Sticky: The Secret Science of Surfaces
May 4, 2022I just finished reading this great book that nicely covers many aspects of surface roughness and tribology. The author, Laurie Winkless, is a physicist who loves communicating about science and
![](https://michmet.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/michigan_metrology-frank_bowden-wpv_300x198_center_center.jpeg)
Remembering Frank Bowden
April 27, 2022May 2 will mark the birthday of Frank Philip Bowden who, along with David Tabor, laid the groundwork for much of our modern understanding of friction and lubrication. “Putting two
![Surface Roughness Measurement - Michigan Metrology - Don Cohen](https://michmet.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Donald_Cohen_with_NPFlex_3-wpv_300x198_center_center.jpg)
Surface texture: a GD&T lab may not have the measurement tools
April 20, 2022High-precision surface texture measurement systems are more widely available now than they were 10 or 15 years ago. Yet, purchasing such systems can still be difficult to justify for small
![](https://michmet.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/michigan_metrology-average-roughness-values-thumbnail-wpv_300x198_center_center.jpeg)
Typical Average Roughness values for various machining operations
April 13, 2022Ra (Roughness Average, or average roughness) is the average height of all measured points on a surface. Ra is the most widely used surface texture parameter. As we’ve mentioned elsewhere