Roughness analysis

Roughness analysis allows for the precise quantification of irregularities present on a material's surface. These surface condition parameters are essential for understanding a product's interaction with its environment: friction, adhesion, wettability, mechanical resistance, visual appearance, and functional performance. Therefore, roughness analysis is indispensable in the materials, packaging, polymer, technical surface, cosmetics, and food industries.

Principle and measured parameters

The analysis is performed using a profilometer (contact or optical) or via microscopy techniques (SEM, optical microscopy). Depending on the method used, different parameters can be obtained:

• Ra : average roughness
• Note : mean square roughness
• Rz : maximum height of asperities
• 2D profiles and 3D topographic maps
• Analysis of peaks, valleys, repeating patterns or surface defects

This information is essential for qualifying machining, measuring the effectiveness of a surface treatment, comparing production batches, or verifying compliance with technical standards.

Industrial applications

Roughness measurement is used for:

• characterizing films, papers, plastics and composite materials
• to control the quality of a polishing, abrasion, coating or deposit
• optimize food packaging or processing methods
• evaluate the sensory performance of cosmetic tablets or surfaces
• detect manufacturing defects or process variations

Typically analyzed matrices

Plastics, packaging films, technical papers, machined or polished metals, ceramics, composite materials, industrial or cosmetic coatings, tablets, textured surfaces.

Why go through YesWeLab?

YesWeLab relies on a rigorously selected network of expert, certified, and/or accredited laboratories (ISO 17025, COFRAC). Each analysis is entrusted to the most suitable laboratory based on your matrices, required standards, and necessary techniques. Our scientific team supports you in choosing the appropriate tests, interpreting the results, and managing your samples completely through our digital platform. Since 2020, thousands of industrial companies have entrusted us with their analyses to gain reliability, speed, and peace of mind.

Related analyses of the YesWeLab catalog

• Analysis of surface condition and roughness (Ra, Rt, Rq)
• Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
• Analysis of the contact angle (wettability)
• Tensile strength analysis
• Hardness analysis (penetration)
• Porosity analysis
• Analysis of powder cohesion