{"article":{"id":"coefficient-of-friction-testing-starrett-gauge","categoryId":"equipment-physics-gear","categoryName":"Equipment Physics & Laboratory Testing","index":8,"question":"How does USA Pickleball test paddle surface friction and roughness?","answer":"USA Pickleball uses automated Starrett SR300 surface roughness profilers to measure average peak-to-valley micro-inch roughness (Ra) across multiple angles.","answerDetail":"To prevent paddles from acting like sandpaper, USA Pickleball Rule 2.E limits surface roughness to 30 micro-inches Ra and 40 micro-inches Rz. Equipment testing technicians move a diamond-tipped stylus across six designated zones on the paddle face. If friction readings exceed the threshold, the paddle cannot be approved for sanctioned tournament play.","intentTags":["equipment-physics-gear","coefficient","knowledge","standards"],"searchKeywords":["how does usa pickleball test paddle surface friction and roughness?","coefficient of friction testing starrett gauge","equipment physics gear"],"facilityTags":["testing-lab","regulation-court"],"serviceTags":["equipment-standards","player-ratings"],"environmentTags":["indoor","outdoor"],"structured":{"categoryId":"equipment-physics-gear","topicIndex":8,"verifiedYear":2026},"lastVerified":"2026-09-20","canonicalUrl":"https://dink-digest.com/knowledge/coefficient-of-friction-testing-starrett-gauge"},"discovery":{"canonicalUrl":"https://dink-digest.com/knowledge/coefficient-of-friction-testing-starrett-gauge","hubUrl":"https://dink-digest.com/knowledge","categoryArticlesUrl":"https://dink-digest.com/api/knowledge?category=equipment-physics-gear"}}