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The Fundamentals of Coating Thickness Measurement
The Fundamentals of Coating Thickness Measurement
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PAINTGAGE EZ
Coating Thickness Measurement: The Fundamentals (by Products Finishing Magazine)
PAINTGAGE FNF
A review of available test methods, common applications and innovative instrumentation...
OICM CMI153 / CMI250
QNIX® 1500 B / M Coating thickness measurement is a concern for both finishers and for companies receiving finished
QNIX® 4200 / 4500
components. Defective coatings lead to rust. As a result, product liability requires quality control of coatings,
and in many cases documentation of measurements in an electronic format. Conflicts can occur if a
QNIX® 7500 B / M manufacturer and a customer of a finished good use different methods or types of instruments to determine
QNIX® 8500 coating thickness. This article will discuss the test methods available for determining coating thickness, common
applications, and innovations in coating thickness instrumentation.
QNIX® KeyLess B / M
SURFACE PROFILE Common applications for this test method include liquid or
TEMPERATURE powder coatings, as well as plated finishes such as
chrome, zinc, cadmium or phosphate over steel or iron
DEW POINT
substrates.
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The eddy-current method of coating thickness
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measurement measures non-conductive coatings on
non-ferrous conductive substrates, non-ferrous conductive
coatings on non-conductive substrates and some
non-ferrous metal coatings on non-ferrous metals. It is
very similar to the magnetic induction method and can
even use many of the same probe designs. Advantages of
the eddy-current method are also very similar to those of
magnetic induction, including low cost, ease of operation,
accuracy and repeatability and instantaneous
measurement with a digital display.
The Magnetic Induction Method
Eddy-current coating thickness measurement uses a probe
VISIT OUR eBAY STORE that also contains a coil. This probe/coil is driven by a high-frequency oscillator to generate an alternating
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high-frequency field. When this field is brought near a metallic conductor, eddy currents are generated in that
conductive material, which results in the impedance change of the probe coil.
The distance between the probe coil and the conductive substrate material determines the amount of
impedance change. Therefore, coating thickness is determined by the impedance change in the form of a digital
reading.
Common applications for eddy-current coating thickness measurement include liquid or powder coating over
aluminum and non-magnetic stainless steel as well as anodize over aluminum.
Selecting A Gage:
Many instruments available today combine both magnetic induction and eddy-current methods. This allows the
user to perform multiple measurement tasks without switching gages. Users also can choose between basic
gages that just provide a value on the digital display or gages that store measurements and provide statistical
information such as average, standard deviation and high/low values.
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Another important selection criterion is based on the shape of the part to be measured.
Not all parts can be measured using a gage with a built-in probe. Units that offer a
probe on a cable provide more flexibility when it comes to multiple part configurations.
Many units with separate probes also offer the ability to exchange probes should the
application change; for example, measuring coating thickness on the inner diameter of
a tube may require a 90-degree probe, while measurements on a flat surface are best
performed with a zero-degree probe. Factors such as curvature, edge effect, surface A unit measuring
roughness, substrate thickness, permeability and conductivity all influence coating powder coating using
thickness measurement but can be accounted for through proper calibration. the magnetic induction
method
As previously mentioned, the ability to store measurements for later documentation
and report generation is often very important. These types of reports can help to determine spray patterns, for
example, or may also be used for incoming inspection of parts. Some gages feature an on-board radio
transmitter that allows users to send readings in real time to a computer up to 60 ft away from where the
measurements are being taken. Data can be input directly into a statistical process control program, eliminating
the need to key in data to save time and eliminate input errors.
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