Surface integrity is the surface condition of a workpiece after being modified by a manufacturing process. The term was coined by Michael Field^[1] and John F. Kahles^[2] in 1964.^[3]

The surface integrity of a workpiece or item changes the material's properties. The consequences of changes to surface integrity are a mechanical engineering design problem, but the preservation of those properties are a manufacturing consideration.^[4]

Surface integrity can have a great impact on a parts function; for example, Inconel 718 can have a fatigue limit as high as 540 MPa (78,000 psi) after a gentle grinding or as low as 150 MPa (22,000 psi) after electrical discharge machining (EDM).^[5]