HEMPEL Code of Practice
Code of
Practice
HEMPEL'S
Code of Practice No. 0209-1
Dry film thickness measurements
Dry film thickness pr coat and in
total for the coating system specified
are essential parts of the painting
specification.
They have influence on the protective
lifetime of the coating, but also have
a significant influence on how much
paint is needed and thus the cost of
the coating system.
Measurement of dry film thickness
(DFT) is normally non-destructive
and easy to carry out with magnetic
or electromagnetic gauges. Together
with the visual appearance of the
applied coating DFT is the primary
check of compliance with the
painting specification.
The most modern types of gauges
can hold a lot of measurements, and
they can be adjusted in various ways.
This has led to several opinions -
even national and international
standards - about how to adjust
them: On smooth plate? or on the
rough, abrasive blasted surface?, and
how?
Before carrying out dry film thick-
ness measurements, it is therefore
imperative that the directions as
stated in the specification are fully
understood and followed.
z How shall the dft-gauge be
adjusted?
z How many measurements to take,
and where?
z How to interpretate the measure-
ments and how to decide?
These issues must have been
clarified before the practical
inspection is initiated.
16/12/2002 ed.1 EMi
What to use when:
HEMPEL’S Painting Specifications
are based on practical experience
and assume that check of
DFT-compliance follows the
procedures stated in this Code of
Practice.
However if customers specifications
state one of the references given
below, requirements in this reference
must be observed.
How to adjust the dft-gauge:
A plate of smooth, clean metallic
substrate of the same kind as the
construction is to be used for
adjustment. Ordinary steel, high
strength ordinary steel and low
alloyed steel are considered the
same substrate.
The size of the plate should be
minimum 30 x 30 x 3 mm, except
for constructions of lower thickness
than 3 mm. In this case the
thickness of the adjustment plate
should be the same as for the
construction within ± 0.2 mm.
The temperature during adjustment
should be at or near to that
prevailing during the taking of the
readings/ measurements.
References:
Various international references are
available. Some of these are:
EN ISO 2808:1999, Paints and
varnishes - Determination of film
thickness.
prEN ISO 19840:2002, Measurement
and acceptance criteria for, the dry film
thickness on rough surfaces.
SSPC-PA 2: Measurement of Dry Paint
Thickness with Magnetic Gages.
-1- Code of Practice 1
 HEMPEL Code of Practice

Code of Practice No. 0209-1

DRY FILM THICKNESS MEASUREMENTS
The recommendations given below are HEMPEL recommendations.
Other recommendations exist, see References overleaf .
What is a reading/measurement:
A reading/measurement is the value displayed when the probe is placed on the
coated substrate.

How to take the measurements:

The surface roughness of the substrate must have been checked using an ISO 8503-1
or similar comparator and recorded/reported prior to the measurements.
The coat/coating to be measured must be sufficiently hard dry to resist the
indentation of gauge’s probe.

Table 1: Possible situations

Condition of Specified How to take the Comments
substrate film measurement
thickness
Roughness Dry film Place the probe on the Compensation for
within interval thickness coated surface and take roughness has already been
specified in the 30 micron the reading/ done in the HEMPEL
HEMPEL or above. measurement Painting Specification.
Painting
Specification.
Roughness Dry film A separate smooth panel Mainly used for pre-
within interval thickness must be coated together fabrication/ shopprimers .
specified in the below with the object. Measured values to be
HEMPEL 30 micron Take the reading compared to specified DFT
Painting /measurement on this (rough surface) multiplied
Specification panel. by factor indicated in table
2 below.
Roughness Dry film Place the probe on the Measured values to be
more coarse thickness coated surface and take compared to specified DFT
than specified 30 micron the reading/ after adding to the latter
in the HEMPEL or above measurement.. the figure indicated in table
Painting 3 below..
Specification

Table 2: Relative adjustment Table 3: Relative adjustment figure for

factor for dft’s below 30 micron: deviation in roughness:
Surface Rz = 75 Rz = 40 Smooth Surface Specified: Actual: Specified: Actual:
roughness micron micron roughness Fine Medium Medium Coarse
Factor 1,66 1,33 1 add micron 10 15

Where, and how many measurements to take, and how to decide?:

If a sampling plan is specified in the painting specification, follow this. Otherwise as
judged necessary in order to make a proper recommendation.
Measurements taken should be noted down and reported. As a minimum: Number of
measurements, average value and minimum and maximum reading.

16/12/2002 ed.1 EMi -2- Code of Practice 2