Film Measurement

Film measurement is an important part of the finishing process. There are many different types of tools to measure film thickness. Some commonly used tools include:

Wet film thickness gauges (combs): These gauges consist of notched or comb-like devices made of metal or plastic. When pressed into the freshly applied wet coating at a perpendicular angle to the substrate and then withdrawn, the notches or teeth become coated with the wet material. The distance between the coating and the bottom of the notches indicates the wet film thickness.
Wet film wheels: Wet film wheels are handheld instruments that have a precision-machined wheel with a specified width. When rolled over the freshly applied coating, the wheel becomes coated with the liquid material. The wet film thickness is then measured using a scale or micrometer.
Wet film combs with integrated magnets: Similar to standard wet film combs, these gauges include magnets, allowing them to adhere to ferrous substrates during measurement. This feature provides more stability and ease of use, especially on vertical surfaces.
Wet film thickness rulers: These are simple rulers with a straight edge calibrated to measure wet film thickness. The ruler is gently placed onto the wet coating, and the thickness is read directly from the ruler's scale.
Wet film thickness electronic gauges: These digital devices use non-destructive technology, such as electromagnetic or ultrasonic measurements, to determine wet film thickness. They provide real-time digital readings and may have additional features like data logging.
Wet film thickness micrometers: These handheld instruments resemble calipers but are designed specifically to measure the thickness of a wet coating. They are generally used for thicker coatings that cannot be measured accurately with wet film combs.
Wet film thickness inspection mirrors: Inspection mirrors with a transparent grid pattern allow visual estimation of wet film thickness by observing the coating's appearance through the grid.

Following the coating manufacturer's guidelines and industry standards for wet film thickness ensures accurate application and optimal performance of the coating.

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