Material Database Enables Coating Thickness Measurement Without Calibration

Calibration-free coating thickness measurement of powder coatings on metallic substrates in the Colour Experience Center of Eurolacke. Photo credit: Coatmaster AG

In cooperation with Eurolacke, Coatmaster AG has created a material database for the noncontact coating thickness gauge Coatmaster Flex, which enables calibration-free and µm-accurate coating thickness measurement of Axalta powder coatings on metallic substrates before and after curing. The database has calibrations for more than 400 different RAL colors. The individual calibrations can be used universally for both plain and textured coatings.

Typically, to measure coating thickness in crosslinked states, contacting measuring devices based on the eddy current or magnetic-inductive principle are used. The disadvantage of these measuring devices is a complex calibration procedure as properties of the base components (such as the geometry, conductivity and magnetizability) must be considered. On objects with complicated shapes, a separate calibration is necessary for almost every measuring point, which can make a full coverage measurement of the coating thickness difficult.

By contrast, noncontact coating thickness measuring devices using advanced thermal optics are based on the thermal properties of the coating. The thermal properties of different paints and coatings are very similar, but show measurable differences.

Coaters will be able to access the material database and transfer ready calibrations to their devices on Coatmaster’s website.

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