Enhancement of conductometer functions with the measurements of surface roughness

Abstract

The paper describes an innovative calibration method that makes it possible to efficiently measure the conductivity of workpieces with rough surfaces, where standard specimens with the already known properties are used for calibration. The calibration process leads to the determination of equivalent parameters of a probe. The measurements results are processed on line with the use of a simple mathematical model for the considered phenomenon. Finally, the determined conductivity value only slightly depends on the surface condition of the examined workpiece. During the conductivity determination there was calculated a parameter–namely, the eddy-current factor of surface roughness–that compensates the impact of the surface roughness. The parameter can be treated as a specific roughness factor of the eddy-currents. The factor has been determined for several samples with already known mechanical values obtained with the help of Ra and Rz methods.