Development of an interlaboratory comparison investigating the generation or areal surface texture per ISO 25178 from XCT

A significant advantage of additive manufacturing (AM) techniques is the ability to design and manufacture parts without the tool-path limitations inherent when using subtractive techniques, such as milling, turning and grinding. This capability of AM enables the production of components with surfaces (such as internal features) that cannot be inspected using standard surface inspection techniques, for example stylus or optical methods. Measurement and characterisation of these surfaces may be vital for component function, whether it be for fluid flow, coating adhesion or bio-attachment. X-ray computed tomography (XCT) has been investigated as a tool for form and dimensional measurement of AM parts; however there has been little research into the ability of XCT for surface texture (particularly areal) measurement and characterization. This paper discusses the initial work performed on producing parameter data per ISO 25173-2 from XCT scans and the rationale employed in the development of a round robin interlaboratory comparison based on this work. Initial round robin data will be discussed.