Evaluation of Sliding Surfaces using Three-Dimensional Surface Texture Parameters

In mechanical drawings, two-dimensional surface texture parameters are commonly used to indicate surface texture; however, measurement results may vary depending on the measurement position. As a result, there is increasing interest in establishing a measurement method that utilizes three-dimensional surface quality parameters, which can more effectively evaluate fine surface irregularities. The application of threedimensional evaluation is proposed as essential in the design of sliding surfaces for high-precision machined parts and overall machine design. This study emphasizes the need to clarify design guidelines and evaluation criteria when assessing products and designing machines. It aims to evaluate the impact of surface roughness on the friction and wear characteristics of reciprocating sliding surfaces, with a view to serving as a guideline for designing sliding surfaces under light load conditions. The experiment involved preparing three types of sliding surfaces - ground and milled - each with different surface roughness. Results indicate that the friction coefficient increases with sliding distance, demonstrating significant wear on the surface crests. Thus, it was found effective to use a combination of multiple surface quality parameters, such as the arithmetic mean peak curvature Spc, in addition to the arithmetic mean roughness Ra, for evaluating sliding surfaces. This finding is expected to enhance the product value by enabling more detailed evaluation of surface quality in the mechanical design of sliding surfaces.