Drawing Indication of Surface Texture

ecifying surface texture

e following criteria may be used in the specification of surface texture:

Control surface texture only when and where necessary.

Experimentation and experiences are best sources of knowledge in specifying surface characteristics.
In experimentation, statistical techniques have proved to be helpful for establishing correlation between surfa
characteristics and its intended functions.
Specified surface texture can be produced and measured.
Surface roughness produced by common production methods (ASME B46.1-1995)

eaning of the surface finish symbol (ASME Y14.36M-1996)

a = roughness value Ra in micrometers
b = production method treatment coating other text or note callout

r a detailed explanation of the individual components of the symbol, see the references listed at the end of thi
ge.

e use of this symbol is illustrated in the next section. The lay symbols are illustrated in the following table.
Lay symbols and examples

Material Removal By Machining Is Required. The horizontal bar indicates material removal by
machining is required to produce the surface and material must be provided for that purpose.
Material Removal Allowance. Value in millimeters for "X" defines the minimum material
removal requirement.
Material Removal Prohibited. The circle in the vee indicates the surface must be produced by
processes such as casting, forging, hot finishing, cold finishing, die casting, powder metallurgy
and injection molding without subsequent removal of material.
Surface Texture Symbol. To be used when any surface texture values, production method,
treatment, coating or other text are specified above the horizontal line or to the right of the
symbol. Surface may be produced by any method except when bar or circle (Symbol b or d) is
specified or when the method is specified above the horizontal line.
Roughness average rating is placed at the left of the long leg and the roughness cutoff rating or
sampling length is placed at the right. The specification of only one rating for roughness
average shall indicate the maximum value and any lesser value shall be acceptable. Specify the
roughness average in micrometers.
The specification of maximum and minimum roughness average values indicates a permissible
range of roughness. Specify in micrometers.

Removal of material prohibited.

Roughness sampling length or cutoff rating is placed below the horizontal extension and is
mandatory in all cases when values are applied to the symbol. Specify in millimeters.

Example of roughness sampling length or cutoff rating for Rz (2.5) when different than that for
Ra (0.8).

Indication of roughness parameter other than Ra can also be specified as a range separated by
a dash (i.e. 0.4-0.8).
Example of roughness sampling length or cutoff rating (2.5) applied to Rz

Lay designation is indicated by the lay symbol placed at the right of the long leg.
Example of maximum roughness spacing, Sm, placed at the right of the cutoff rating and above
the lay symbol. Any lesser rating shall be acceptable. Specify in millimeters.
Material removal by machining is required to produce the surface. The minimum amount of
stock provided for material removal is specified at the left of the short leg of the symbol. Also,
"NOTE X" can be used to control designations other than those covered by defaults in ASME
846.1 - 1995.

dication on Older Drawings

e common use of Ra is deep-rooted in surface measurement, so much so that older standards provided ways of

ecifying Ra only. Today's and upcoming surface texture standards aim to de-emphasize the special role that Ra
s been taking and attempt to accomodate more parameters and factors affecting their characterization.

ade Numbers

der drawings may use roughness grade numbers to indication Ra values. The following table is given in ISO
20:1992.
Roughness values Ra

Roughness Grade Numbers

in

50

2000

N12

25

1000

N11

12.5

500

N10

6.3

250

N9

3.2

125

N8

1.6

63

N7

0.8

32

N6

0.4

16

N5

0.2

N4

0.1

N3

0.05

N2

0.025

N1

R - Roughness Height Range

other practice in the specification of Ra values on drawings is using the letters "RHR" with a superscript and
bscript indicating the range of Ra value permitted. The following figure illustrates this practice.

Older drawings may have used this notation to express an allowable range for Ra. This
notation is now obsolete.

r example, the second symbol above means that Ra may fall between 10 in and 20 in.

eferences

ASME Y14.36M-1996; Surface Texture Symbols.

ISO 1302:1994; Technical Drawings - Method of indicating surface texture.

Watch for revisions

ISO CD 1302; Geometrical Product Specifications (GPS) - Indication of Surface texture

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