The paint thickness gauge is one of the most important tools you will use to determine dry film thickness, a critical measurement that is used to determine the coating’s cost, quality, and process. Also known as ‘coating thickness metre,’ the paint thickness gauge is used for studying or evaluating the expected life of a coating, and the performance, and appearance of the product. Likewise, it ensures your compliance with a range of international standards of minimum paint thickness or coating. Without this gauge, you are likely to measure dry film thickness with destructive methods, which will require you to cut to a substrate.
Destructive measurements can take some time and effort to complete. In some cases, they can be costly, too. That is why operators typically turn to non-destructive measurements, like the use of a paint thickness gauge. The gauge can take measurements on non-magnetic (aluminium and stainless steel) and magnetic steel surfaces. Digital coating thickness gauges may use electromagnetic induction for a non-magnetic coating on a ferrous substrate like steel, and eddy current is applied on non-conducive coatings on a non-ferrous metal substrate.
A high-quality coating thickness metre is an ultrasonic device that can measure paint thickness on plastic and wood, too. This time, it emits high-frequency sound pulses, which travel through the coating via a coupling gel. The pulses then reflect from any surface as long as it has a different density. Readings are obtained by the time it takes for the signal to go from the probe to the substrate or coating interface, and back. Different probes are provided with the meter to suit different substrates. For instance, type B probes are for polymer coatings on plastic and wood, type D is for thick and soft coatings like asphaltic neoprene and polyuria, and extremely thick polymers, and type C is for coatings on fibreglass and concrete.
Destructive measurements can take some time and effort to complete. In some cases, they can be costly, too. That is why operators typically turn to non-destructive measurements, like the use of a paint thickness gauge. The gauge can take measurements on non-magnetic (aluminium and stainless steel) and magnetic steel surfaces. Digital coating thickness gauges may use electromagnetic induction for a non-magnetic coating on a ferrous substrate like steel, and eddy current is applied on non-conducive coatings on a non-ferrous metal substrate.
A high-quality coating thickness metre is an ultrasonic device that can measure paint thickness on plastic and wood, too. This time, it emits high-frequency sound pulses, which travel through the coating via a coupling gel. The pulses then reflect from any surface as long as it has a different density. Readings are obtained by the time it takes for the signal to go from the probe to the substrate or coating interface, and back. Different probes are provided with the meter to suit different substrates. For instance, type B probes are for polymer coatings on plastic and wood, type D is for thick and soft coatings like asphaltic neoprene and polyuria, and extremely thick polymers, and type C is for coatings on fibreglass and concrete.