Fundamentals of engineering surfaces

Abstract

Understanding engineered surfaces is very important for solving many scientific problems that involve friction, contact mechanics, heat conduction, electric current conduction, and component design. In this chapter, the fundamentals of engineering surfaces and surface texturing are discussed. Various surface layer types are defined, and techniques for generating and characterizing them are presented. Surface roughness measurement techniques to obtain and define roughness parameters using surface profilometry and optical methods are discussed in detail. Surface textures and structures are then classified in terms of various roughness parameters. Finally, experimental results that demonstrate the influence of surface texture on friction are discussed.