Roughness

The term roughness refers to the unevenness of a surface that is created by various mechanical machining processes. These processes include turning, milling, electrical discharge machining, grinding and polishing, among others. Each of these processes leaves characteristic traces and patterns on the surface of the workpiece, which leads to different degrees of roughness.

Particularly high demands on a defined roughness are placed on mechanical components with sliding surfaces and on visible parts. In the case of sliding surfaces, a specific roughness is crucial in order to minimise friction and wear and thus increase the service life and efficiency of the components. In the case of visible parts, on the other hand, roughness plays an important role in the aesthetic appearance and the feel.

The required roughness of a technical surface is often specified in the surface specifications of a technical drawing. These specifications are essential in order to ensure that the manufactured component meets the functional and aesthetic requirements.