We are excited about the value of this additional information. It has, for example, allowed us to quantify the dramatic difference between a new and a broken-in wear surface. See graph below. An example of the interpretation is as follows. When two surfaces rub together, the peak region is worn away during the break-in period, the core region bears the load for the life of the product, and the valley region is available as a lubricant reservoir.
Additional parameters estimate the amount of material in each region.
The Rk parameters are not calculated by standard AFM software. Advanced Surface Microscopy uses its own Rk software when preparing analytical reports for its clients. Request information Back to ASM home page .