Testcoatings Blog

From the biggest infrastructure projects to our daily consumer gadgets, most manufactured surfaces feature anti-rust, decorative or other coatings. The smallest imperfection of this protective layer could trigger long term problems and drive up repair costs. Preventing this damage using Elcometer adhesion testers will protect your investment in the long term. Quality tests of the …

Coating Inspection & paint quality control using Elcometer adhesion testers Read More »

Why Delta T measurement is so important By far the most important parameter in surface preparedness evaluation of all is the Delta T, as it tells you the difference between the surface temperature and the dewpoint temperature. The smaller the difference, the more likely that moisture (or dew) will have condensed on the surface. It …

Preparing outdoor surfaces for painting – crucial weather factors Read More »

Get scientifically exact estimations on practically any surface, ferrous or non-ferrous. Dry film thickness (DFT) evaluates the expected life of a coating & determines if it has been applied correctly per standards. Knowing the thickness of dry film is paramount It gives key data with regards to the longevity of the substrate, the item’s readiness …

How to inspect dry film thickness in half the time using Elcometer 456 Read More »

Reasons for surface corrosion, faulty coating and cracks. Quality control of any industrial coating should include the following concerns: Runny and soggy coating: uneven thickness due to gravity pulling paint down Cissing: air bubbles on the coating Cratering: gaps in coating due to sub-coating failure (humidity) Pinholes: Caused by air or dust particles Over Coating: …

Quality control for industrial coatings & pipelines: using Holiday Detectors to prevent rust Read More »

Guarantee good adhesion of the coating, and long life of the resulting surface If the texture profile is too large, the coating amount must increase to avoid the danger of leaving the ‘peak’ texture elements being uncoated, causing eventual rusting. If the texture profile is too low, adhesion may suffer, resulting in bubbles or cracks …

Surface roughness testing methods using Elcometer surface profile gauges Read More »

With a pre-set measurement rate of 4 readings per second (4Hz), the Elcometer MTG2 can measure uncoated steel up to 500mm (20”) thick, with a maximum accuracy of ±1% across its range. Taking a reading couldn’t be easier – using a small amount of ultrasonic couplant, press the dual-element transducer flat against the surface. When …

How to measure the thickness of a pipe, a storage tank, or any material when you only have access to only one side? Read More »

How to test wet and dry film thickness? Excess coating negatively affects the longevity and the finish of the product Too much of wet film can result in cracks when dry; too little film increases the risk of insufficient protection and rust spots. For powder coatings, the right thickness of applied powder is just as …

Wet Film & Powder Thickness Measurement Read More »

1. CROSSHATCH TESTERS such as the Elcometer 107 or 1542, where a cutter with 6 or 11 blades is used to cut two sets of lines at right angles – the resultant debris is removed using either adhesive tape, a brush, or compressed air, and the results determined by the use of tables. Elcometer 1542 …

What is an adhesion test and why it’s so important Read More »