3.9 Summary of characterization

Figures 3.53 and 3.54 show what can be used as the basic elements that should be used in characterization. Notice that it is not possible to isolate the characterization of the surface from either the manufacture or the workpiece function. It is this link that has been missing. Without these two constraints, surface characterization can get out of hand.

Figure 3.53: Basic characterization

Figure 3.54: Elementary links in characterization

The large number (14) of even the simplest set of areal parameters make it unacceptable in use. It is meaningless to advance further down the road of discrimination without pausing to consider interactions with other parts of the system. This approach should be more fruitful.

Some elements of this interdependent approach are given below. The fact that each station can conveniently be split into two rather obvious factors is a tremendous bonus.

At the functional level, it is possible to expand the characterization into conduction and lubrication as well as contact and flow. Hence a 2 ⁴ classification, which is just about the maximum the designer can work with and the minimum the tribologist will allow.