Statistical characteristic and parameter characterization of 3D surface micro-topography on micro-EDM

The characteristic of three-dimensional (3D) surface micro-topography of micro-EDM plays an important role on the component function properties. In this paper, two types of 3D surface micro-topography, which machined by micro-electrical discharge machining forming (micro-EDMF) and micro-wire electrical discharge machining (micro-WEDM), have been measured by the atomic force microscope (AFM) instrument after the surface data have been reshaped and denoised by means of wavelet filter respectively. And then the second-order statistical characteristic functions and six 3D characterization parameters, which connect with function properties, have been presented to comprehensively characterize and compare 3D surface micro-topography of the two types of surfaces. The analysis results show that it is reasonable to characterize the two types of surface micro-topography and the distinction of them can also be described using the statistical functions and 3D parameters. A conclusion has been obtained that the micro-EDMF surface is isotropic and has much better bearing capacity and wear resistance performance than the micro-WEDM surface.