Karedusest

Karedusest is an Estonian noun that denotes roughness or coarseness. It can refer to the physical texture of a surface as well as to figurative harshness or severity. In everyday use, karedus describes how coarse something feels or appears.

In technical contexts, karedus specifically refers to surface texture and topography. It is a key parameter in materials science, manufacturing, and engineering, where controlling roughness affects performance and aesthetics.

Roughness is quantified by descriptors such as Ra (arithmetic mean roughness), Rz (mean peak-to-valley height), and RMS roughness (Rq). These indices describe deviations of the surface profile from an ideal plane over a measurement length.

Measurement methods include contact stylus profilometry, which drags a diamond tip over the surface, and non-contact optical methods such as confocal or interferometric profilometry. Standards such as ISO 4287 and ISO 25178 provide definitions and testing practices for roughness parameters.

Karedusest is relevant in many applications. It influences friction, wear, sealing, coating adhesion, and appearance. Surface finishing processes like grinding, polishing, and texturing are used to adjust roughness to meet functional and aesthetic requirements.