What is surface finish measured in?

Surface finish is measured in microinches (or sometimes in micrometers depending on the context). Microinches provide a precise measurement scale that is particularly useful in the machining industry, where even small variations in surface texture can significantly affect the performance, wear resistance, and aesthetic quality of the finished product. The term "surface finish" refers to the texture of a surface produced by machining processes, and this is often quantified to assess the quality of the machining work.

When measuring surface finish, utilizing microinches allows for finely detailed measurements that reflect the engineering and manufacturing standards required for high-quality components. Different applications may require varying degrees of surface smoothness, which is effectively captured within this fine measurement scale. Other measurement units like micrometers or millimeters are also used in different contexts but are less common for specifying surface roughness as they do not provide the same level of granularity in this specific application.