Experimental Methods Using Scale-Sensitive, Geometric Analysis of Surface Textures for Tribology

This paper describes the application of new scale-sensitive texture analysis methods in tribology experiments that are based on applying F-tests and regression analyses to the results of length-scale, area-scale [1], and filling-scale analyses of measured tribilogical surfaces, combined with physical testing. These methods can improve understanding of the interaction of surface roughness, or textures, and tribological phenomena. The challenges in using surface metrology to elucidate the texture-related mechanisms that control tribological interactions are to capture the relevant information in the surface texture in its measurement, extract it in the analysis, then connect it convincingly with the tribilogical interactions.