Paints are not only meant to add
colour to surfaces, but they also act as a protective layer. A high-performance
coating is necessary to protect a surface from environmental damages. The two
main parameters that determine the paint's performance in terms of protection
are paint quality and paint thickness. A coating thickness meter comes in handy while
measuring the Paint thickness.
Let’s see what coating thickness
meter is, and what makes it important
It is a common notion that the
greater the thickness of the paint, the better would be the protection. Now,
while a layer too thin would wear off easily, an excessively thick layer would
be prone to cracks. Therefore, it is essential to monitor the paint's thickness
on a surface and ensure that the right thickness is chosen.
A coating thickness meter is a device
used to measure the thickness of a paint coating. The meters are designed
either for ferrous surfaces or non-ferrous ones. On ferrous substrates like
steel, electromagnetic induction is used by the meter to gauge the thickness.
Meters designed for non-ferrous or non-conductive surfaces use Eddy current.
Both of these methods are non-destructive, i.e., they do not require cutting
into the paint layer.
What is paint coating thickness
testing done for?
A coating thickness meter can
be used in various situations where it is necessary to gauge the thickness of a
paint layer. Some of the important benefits are mentioned below:
· In the case of a surface
covered in waterproof paint, it can measure the amount of waterproofing that
has been provided.
· While buying a pre-owned
car, one may use this device to look for re-paint jobs on the vehicle. Lack of
uniformity may indicate a past incident with the vehicle.
· Ferrous surfaces tend to
rust without adequate protection. An adequately thick layer of paint can
protect them from environmental exposure and thereby prevent rusting.
The applications of a paint coating thickness
meter are certainly wide, and it is a useful tool used in various industries.
Without adequate testing, the paint thickness would be left neglected, and it
reduces the durability of the paint job.