TS 10840

TS 10840 is a terminology standard dealing with the terms, definitions, classification and symbolic notation used for the geometrical texture of product surfaces. In practical engineering terms, surface texture is the language used to describe how a manufactured surface departs from an ideal geometry through features such as roughness, waviness and lay, giving designers and inspectors a common basis for communication.

What the surface-texture vocabulary is used for

In general technical practice, surface-character terminology separates different aspects of a surface so they are not confused with one another. It distinguishes the nature of the surface pattern, the way it is classified and the way it is expressed in drawings or specifications. That makes the vocabulary useful wherever production, inspection and design documentation need to refer to the same surface condition consistently.

The subject of this standard is primarily the naming and representation of surface-character concepts, rather than prescribing a specific measuring method or numerical limit. Its symbolic approach is important in technical drawings and quality documents, where a compact notation can communicate a surface requirement more clearly than a long verbal description. This product record does not, by itself, establish the detailed measurement rules or acceptance criteria used for a particular part.

Why classification and symbols matter

• Terminology helps distinguish different types of surface irregularity.
• Classification supports consistent assessment in design and inspection.
• Symbols provide a short, standard way to state surface characteristics on drawings.
• Shared definitions reduce interpretation differences between manufacturing and metrology teams.