Surface roughness evaluation of marble by 3D laser profilometry and pulsed thermography

Three dimensional (3D) laser profilometry (LP) and pulsed thermography (PT) were used in the inspection of Pentelic marble. Quarry Pentelic marble samples, after processed with different roughness treatments (i.e. 60, 80, 100, 220, 400 and 600 mesh), were evaluated in the laboratory. Furthermore, different surface cleaning treatments were applied to a Pentelic marble surface in situ and then representative samples were collected and evaluated in the laboratory by the means of these two non-destructive techniques. Quantitative analysis of all samples was performed. The surface roughness parameter Rq at a specific length scale was estimated by the use of the LP scanning approach. Furthermore, 3D micro-topography plots from the laser scans were attained. PT, through the formation of temperature-time plots that display the intensity of pixels as a function of time on the obtained thermal images, was able to distinguish the influence of the applied roughness treatments. Results indicate that these two non-contact and non-destructive techniques can be used for the assessment of surface roughness. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.