Abstract
This chapter reviews methods used for the characterization of surface roughness and identifying parameters important for function. The emphasis is on methods that reveal the tribological performance of a surface relative to topography. The information also considers biological surfaces with a focus on the characterization of soft tissue. In this respect, the data introduce methods used to determine the fractal dimension of biological surfaces and how to extend fractal data to analyze the tribological performance of soft tissue and predict key properties necessary to determine mechanical contact parameters.