Abstract The removing efficiency of surface roughness for the hydrodynamic polishing process under semi-contact lubricating condition was investigated in this thesis. The experimental relationships between surface roughness and polishing were first examined. From the relationships, the potential influential factors of the removing efficiency and the magnitude of surface roughness were identified. Finally, a mathematical model that was related to the removing efficiency and the magnitude of surface roughness was proposed. Based on the experimental study, it was shown that the surface roughness would be rapidly reduced at the beginning by polishing process and then hardly improved afterward. This trend implied that surface roughness would not be completely removed during the polishing process. It was proposed that the amplitude and wavelength of surface roughness would affect the removing efficiency of surface roughness. Further, the removing efficiency was not sensitive to the tool velocity. From the mathematical model, several points were concluded. First, the removing efficiency was positively proportional to the amplitude of surface roughness. Second, the removing efficiency was inversely to the amplitude of surface roughness. Third, the removing efficiency was inverse proportional to a waviness of tool surface. Fourth, the removing efficiency was not sensitive to tool velocity. Finally, there existed an achievable minimum surface roughness for a surface with specific wavelength. The magnitude of a minimum surface roughness was shown to be proportional to the wavelength of work surface.