One of the standard methods for assessing the roughness of a material
subjected to wear uses the surface arithmetic means and root-mean-squa
re deviation. However, these parameters often do not provide a qualita
tive assessment of the difference in materials worn under the same con
ditions of load and elapsed time. The profile and surface roughness pa
rameters are frequently inconsistent. Such measurements are also requi
red to determine the wear characteristics of various materials under d
ifferent conditions. A morphometric assessment of wear characteristics
, based on the surface area fraction of localized deviations in the su
rface texture and stress fractures, is provided, and clearly indicates
the observed difference.