Rz vs Ra roughness
Rz and Ra are measurements used to describe and quantify surface roughness in manufacturing and engineering. Find out more about these different ways of measuring roughness as a machining finish for custom parts.
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Rz and Ra are measurements used to describe and quantify surface roughness in manufacturing and engineering. Find out more about these different ways of measuring roughness as a machining finish for custom parts.
In manufacturing, surface roughness refers to the deviation in the texture of a part’s surface from its ideal surface. Surface roughness is often affected by the following factors.
Cutting parameters. Such as cutting speed, feed rate, and the depth of the cut
Tooling. Especially the design and condition of the cutting tool, with sharper tools producing smoother surfaces than dull ones
Material properties. With harder materials often producing rougher surfaces
You can quantify surface roughness with several parameters, including Ra (Roughness Average) and Rz (Ten-point Height). Let’s take a look in the following sections.
Ra, also known as “average roughness,” is the average height of the texture of a part’s surface. Essentially, Ra tells you how bumpy or smooth a surface is by calculating the average height of the peaks and valleys of a surface’s texture. Ra allows manufacturers to quickly discern whether a part is rough or smooth enough for a given application.
Rz, also known as “Ten-point Height of Irregularities,” is the average difference between the five highest peaks and the five deepest valleys of a surface’s texture. Compared to Ra, Rz provides a better view of the outlier peaks and valleys on a surface. This is especially beneficial for applications in which these outliers could affect functionality, such as seals or sliding parts.
While Ra provides you with an overall average roughness of a part’s surface, Rz delves into specific irregularities. Calculating both and using them together helps ensure that you fully understand your part’s surface.
For one, it allows manufacturers to set precise specifications for average roughness and peak-to-valley height, which can greatly benefit your quality control efforts. Additionally, you can better optimize a part’s performance by more easily achieving a balanced surface texture that can improve functionality or durability.
You can use Rz and Ra to help you create parts for a variety of industrial applications. Here are a few that our customers use.
Sealing applications. Components designed to provide a seal require precise surface characteristics. Ra helps ensure a good sealing surface, while Rz identifies potential leak paths due to surface irregularities.
Sliding parts and bearings. For machinery components like bearings or sliding parts, it is important to design parts that exhibit a balance between smoothness and surface peaks. Here, Ra shows a part’s tendency to create friction, while Rz highlights areas prone to wear.
Coating and finishing quality. When applying coatings or finishes, achieving the right surface roughness is very important for adhesion and longevity. Ra can help you ensure a smooth base, while Rz helps identify areas where coatings might not adhere due to surface irregularities.
Ra and Rz are not comparable with another, as they are distinct measurements for different parameters. Whereas Ra is useful for understanding the overall roughness of a surface, Rz is useful for identifying extreme irregularities.
When parts require a particular level of surface roughness, you can select from our wide variety of post-machining processes that each enhance your parts’ aesthetics and performance in various ways. From smooth machining to fine machining and brushing to polishing, add a surface finish, or a combination of them, as you build your quote.
Read more about the various types of finishes for CNC machined parts. You can also explore our articles on post-machining processes that smooth surface roughness.
When you’re ready to compare prices and lead times for your part design, upload a CAD file for an instant quote.
Ra 3.2μm / Ra 126μin. Find out more.
Ra 1.6μm/Ra 64μin. Find out more.
Parts can be anodized “as machined”, or pre-treated with a process such as brushing or bead blasting. Find out about anodizing and these processes and their surface roughness.
Rz and Ra are measurements used to describe and quantify surface roughness in manufacturing and engineering. Find out more about these different ways of measuring roughness as a machining finish for custom parts.
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Read articleRz and Ra are measurements used to describe and quantify surface roughness in manufacturing and engineering. Find out more about these different ways of measuring roughness as a machining finish for custom parts.
Read articleLearn about the role quality documentation plays in the manufacturing process, how to obtain it, and the types of documentation that apply to parts, materials, and more
Read articleWhat are the different types of threads for manufacturing? In this article, learn how to correctly design threads to reduce lead times and cost for your next CNC machining production run.
Read articleTables of the standard blank sizes (sheets & rods) commonly used in CNC machining.
Read articleUse these conversion tables of standard drill bit sizes (metric, fractional inch, and wire gauge) common in CNC machining to reduce manufacturing costs from custom tooling.
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