In this paper both envelope approach and morphological filters for characterisation of surface textures were proposed, applied and thoroughly examined. Obtained results were compared with those received after appliance of commonly-used algorithms. The effect of appliance of proposed procedures on surface topography parameters (from ISO 25178 standard) was taken into consideration. The following types of surface textureswere assessed: two-process plateau-honed cylinder liners, plateau-honed cylinder liners with additionally burnished dimples, turned piston skirts, grinded and/or isotropic topographies. It was assumed that envelope characteristics (envelope filtration) can provide results useful for assessments of deep and/or wide oil-reservoirs especially when they are edge located. Moreover, some near-valley areas of surface texture details can be less distorted when envelope filtering is accomplished. It was also found that closing and/or opening envelope filtration can be valuable for reduction of some surface topography measurement errors.

In this paper distortion of surface topography measurement results by improper selection of the reference plane is taken into consideration. The following types of surfaces from cylindrical elements were analyzed: cylinder liners after plateau honing, cylinder liners with additionally burnished oil pockets and turned piston skirts. Surface topographies of these elements after a low wear process were also studied. In order to obtain areal surface topography parameters, the form was eliminated using cylinders and polynomials of the following degrees: 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12. Parameters of surfaces after form removal were compared. After analysis of results the reference elements for each kind of surface were recommended. A special procedure was proposed in order to select the degree of a polynomial. This method is based on surface topography changes with increase of polynomial degree. The effect of improper form elimination on measuring uncertainty was studied.