Surface Finishes Chart

R aU mR aUi nc h N Gr ad e Fi ni sh

0. 02 5 1

0.05

0.1

0.2

0.4

0.8

1.6

3.2

6.3

12. 5

25

50

16

32

63

12 5

250

500

100 0

200 0

N 1

N2

N3

N4

N5

N6

N7

N8

N9

N1 0

N11

N12

Fi ne la pp ed

Lappi ng Super finishi ng

Lappi ng Super finishi ng

Gr ou nd

Gr ou nd

Gr ou nd

Sm oot h Tu rne d

Sm oot h Tu rne d

Me diu m Tur ned

Me diu m Tur ned

Rou gh Mac hine d

Rou gh Mac hine d

Surface Finish - 2: How to Read the Surface Finish Symbols VMS Forum | Library | Start Page | Previous Page| Next Page
WARNING: Machine tools present a safety hazard. Improper operation can result in severe injury. These topics are for non-laboratory study only and are not to be used in conjunction with the operation of any tool or machine described herein. Never use a machine tool without the supervision of a qualified instructor.

Surface finishes are usually specified with a "check mark" on the blueprint as shown in the in graphic below. Surface finishes are specified in microinches and are located on the left side of the symbol above the check mark "V". In the example below the value is shown as 32. The waviness requirement (if specified) is usually given in thousands of an inch and is located on the top right of the symbol. In the example it is the value ".0015" The roughness width requirement (if specified) is usually given in thousands of an inch and is located on the bottom right of the symbol. In the example it is the value ".002". The lay direction requirement (if specified) is usually represented by a symbol and is located right below the roughness width requirement. In the example it is the symbol forperpendicularity. The graphic below show the rest of the symbols.
Formatted: Font: (Default) Times New Roman, 12 pt

Formatted: Font: (Default) Times New Roman, 12 pt

Formatted: Font: (Default) Times New Roman, 12 pt

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label: surface finish, finish, symbols, ANSI/ASME B46.1, forumlas, mea

SURFACE FINISH CHARTS

Surface Finishing: Mechanical Polishing and ElectroPolishing Machining and mechanical polishing Mechanical polishing or machining leaves numerous surface scratches which cause areas of differing electrical potential due to surface stresses. An electropolished surface is essentially balanced. Local corrosive cells cannot be set up, because the local galvanic differences caused by polishing stresses in the stainless surface have been eliminated. The most effective method of eliminating burrs, folds, inclusions and other abnormalities is through Electropolishing. This electrolytic process, the opposite of the plating process, is designed to remove metal without smearing or folding. Peaks are dissolved more quickly than valleys as a result of the greater concentration of current over the protuberances. This action produces a smoothing and rounding of the surface profile. Due to the rounded profile, electropolished surfaces are far easier to clean than surfaces mechanically polished alone. Surface Finish Measuring and specifying surface finish has, until recently, been left to a varying amount of speculation. The number of different standards being used by different equipment manufacturer has created a great deal of confusion and misunderstanding throughout the industry. Increasingly stringent specifications are now being demanded for the surface finish on all items of process equipment in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries and many suppliers of valves and pipe work are now quantifying the surface roughness of their product. The specification of grit reference cannot be equated to a consistent surface finish. Variables affecting the resultant finish are grit size, tool load, condition of tool, feed rate, traverse rate condition of metal to be polished and lubricant used, if any. For precise and consistent results, surface finish should be specified in a range or maximum level of roughness average (Ra). This is normally expressed in micrometers (Microns) or microinches.

Micron or microinch values expressing surface finish as roughness average (Ra) are interchangeable with those values identified as (CLA) centerline average or arithmetic average. Measured values expressed as (RMS) root mean square will read approximately eleven percent higher than values expressed in Ra. (Microinches x 1.11 = RMS). For surface roughness measurements, BBS-Systems utilizes a surface measurement instrument. Surface finish can then be described by using the roughness average (Ra) parameter. The Ra value is defined as the average value of the departures from its centerline through a prescribed sampling length. The increasing purity requirements in the pharmaceutical and bio-technology industries require surfaces in contact with the product to have finishes that meet BPE standards. With the advent of ASME/BPE, the Pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries finally have a standard that can be universally applied. Some values of surface finish Grit: Measures the number of scratches per linear inch of abrasive pad. Higher numbers indicate a smoother surface

Standard Grit (reference only) 150 180 240 320

Ra in 27 - 32 16 - 23 14 - 18 8 - 10

Ra n 0.68 - 0.80 0.46 - 0.58 0.34 - 0.46 0.21 - 0.25

RMS in 30 - 35 20 - 25 15 - 20 9 - 11

RMS n 0.76 - 0.89 0.51 - 0.64 0.38 - 0.51 0.23 - 0.28

RMS: defined as Root Mean Square roughness, this method measures a sample for peaks and valleys. Lower numbers indicate a smoother finish Ra: Known as the arithmetic mean, this measurement represents the average of all peaks and valleys. Lower numbers indicate a smooth finish

Electropolishing Electro polishing is a process combining electric current and chemicals to remove surface material; it is the most effective method of removing burr, folds, inclusion and other abnormalities. Peaks are removed quicker than valleys because of the concentration of current on the peaks. This process leaves the surface extremely smooth and is far easier to clean by reducing the total area required to be sterilized. This electrolytic process is frequently specified because of the broad range of inherent benefits over mechanical polishing alone. The inherent benefits of Electropolishing subsequent to mechanical polishing are as follows: Superior surfaces for cleaning and sterilization. Resultant passivated surfaces enhance corrosion resistance. High luster reflective appearance. Elimination of smeared or torn surfaces caused by abrasive finishing Removal of inclusions and entrapped contaminants such as lubricants and grit particles. Increased corrosion resistance Cleaner surface of the wet contact areas

Removal of surface occlusions Reduce surface friction

Electropolishing also greatly reduces the total surface area to be cleaned and sterilized.

Surface Finish Comparison RMS RMS (Micro-inch) (Micron) 160 4.06 98 2.49 80 2.03 58 1.47 47 1.20 47 34 21 17 14 10 5 1.20 0.86 0.53 0.43 0.36 0.25 0.13

Ra (Micro-inch) 142 87 71 52 42 42 Before Bead Blast 30 19 15 12 9 4 (+/-)

Ra (Micron) 3.61 2.21 1.80 1.32 1.06 1.06 0.76 0.48 0.38 0.30 0.23 0.10

Grit Finish 36 60 80 120 150 USDA Bead Blast 180 220 240 320 400 Mirror