A digital coating thickness gauge or a DFT Meter (Dry Film Thickness Meter) is an instrument to measure the thickness of coatings on metallic surfaces. As it is a non-destructive method to evaluate coatings, it is a much easier, economical and more accurate method when compared to other destructive or expensive methods.
Yowexa Sensor Systems is a renowned manufacturer of coating thickness gauges. They offer a variety of models varying in accuracy, measurement range, compatibility with substrate and coating, and type of probe. In general, all models from Yowexa Sensor Systems can measure the thickness of paint coating, powder coating, and plating thickness on ferrous and non-ferrous substrates with certain exceptions. To understand how to operate the instrument, you can refer this SOP document.
Coating thickness gauges find application in a wide variety of industries, from R&D by paint manufacturers to cursory thickness checking by resellers of used cars. The following is a list of the most common industries and their respective applications.
Most manufacturers have the need to evaluate painting thickness in one form or the other. For protection or aesthetic purposes, manufacturers tend to apply paint coatings on their products. If the coating thickness is lesser than needed, it might not provide enough protection. If it is too much, it results in increased raw material usage and costs. If the applied coating is not even throughout a product, the product appears odd and might be assumed to be of inferior quality. In all such situations, the DFT meter is a useful tool to instantly measure and ensure optimum paint coating thickness.
The EC900 coating thickness gauge is the preferred model for paint thickness measurement. To purchase this model, you can visit the below link.
In Industrial applications, Powder Coatings have come to replace paints in most places because of the significant advantages they offer. All the reasons why painted surfaces need to be assessed for their coating thickness are applicable to powder-coated surfaces as well. In fact, it is all the more important as powder coatings are more expensive.
The EC900 coating thickness gauge is the preferred model for paint thickness measurement. To purchase this model, you can visit the below link.
A paint thickness gauge is a useful & quick tool for used-car reselling inspection, as variations in paint thickness across different panels can indicate repainting, refinishing, or previous bodywork. Taking measurements at multiple points helps assess the consistency of the vehicle’s paint finish and help determine the value of the car.
Paint thickness measurement is also important for auto detailing and paint correction. Automotive paint typically consists of primer, base coat, and clear coat. During paint correction, polishing or compounding removes a small amount of the upper paint surface to reduce scratches, swirl marks, and other imperfections. Measuring the total coating thickness before and during the process helps detailers avoid excessive paint removal and potential damage to the clear coat.
For Paint Protection Film (PPF) applications, measuring the paint thickness can help assess the condition of the underlying paint, particularly on repainted or repaired panels, before applying the film.
The Linshang LS238 Automotive Paint Thickness Gauge is well suited for used-car inspection, automotive paint measurement, PPF installation, and professional auto detailing applications.
Electroplating, like other protective coating processes, offers several advantages, including corrosion protection, improved durability, wear resistance, and enhanced aesthetic appeal. It is widely used in industries such as automotive, aerospace, electronics, engineering, and manufacturing.
The thickness of electroplated coatings is typically measured using a Dry Film Thickness (DFT) gauge, commonly referred to as a plating thickness gauge. Depending on the application, it may also be referred to as an anodizing thickness gauge or galvanizing thickness gauge.
The PHYNIX SX Series is an excellent choice for applications involving thin coatings. Since electroplated and other protective coatings can often have very low thicknesses, the SX Series includes a 10 µm calibration foil, allowing users to calibrate the instrument and verify measurement performance at low thickness levels.
The series also offers a wide range of specialized probes, including V-groove probes, tube probes, right-angle probes, chemical-resistant probes, and high-temperature probes, as well as probe stands for convenient and repeatable measurements.
However, a plating thickness gauge cannot measure every type of plating or coating. The PHYNIX thickness gauges operate using Magnetic Induction and Eddy Current measurement principles, and therefore can measure only those coating and substrate combinations that are compatible with these principles. The suitability of the instrument depends on factors such as the coating material, substrate material, coating thickness, and the measurement principle required for the application.
Choosing the right coating thickness gauge depends on factors such as the coating material, substrate material, coating thickness, component geometry, and measurement location.
For assistance in selecting the right instrument for your specific application, contact Agaram’s technical team.
A Coating Thickness Gauge Works on 2 industrially accepted principles: Magnetic Induction & Eddy Current. Both Principles are explained below:
When the substrate is ferrous or magnetic, such as iron or steel, the coating thickness can be measured using the Magnetic Induction principle.
In this method, the probe generates a low-frequency alternating magnetic field. When the probe is placed on the coated surface, the magnetic field interacts with the ferrous substrate beneath the coating. The presence of the coating creates a distance between the probe and the magnetic substrate. As the coating becomes thicker, this distance increases, causing a measurable change in the magnetic response.
The instrument detects this change and converts it into a coating thickness measurement. For the Magnetic Induction method to work correctly, the coating itself should be non-magnetic, while the substrate needs to be magnetic.
Typical applications include:
When the substrate is non-ferrous or electrically conductive, such as aluminium, copper, brass, or stainless steel in appropriate applications, the Eddy Current principle can be used.
In this method, the probe generates an alternating electromagnetic field. When the probe is placed near a conductive substrate, this changing field induces electrical currents, known as eddy currents, within the substrate.
The strength of these eddy currents is affected by the distance between the probe and the conductive substrate. Since the coating separates the probe from the substrate, the thickness of the coating influences the electromagnetic response detected by the probe. The instrument analyses this change and calculates the coating thickness.
For the Eddy Current method to be suitable, the substrate must be electrically conductive, and the coating/substrate combination must be non conductive.
Typical applications include:
A coating thickness gauge does not directly measure the coating itself. Instead, it measures the electromagnetic or magnetic interaction between the probe and the underlying substrate through the coating.
Therefore, to determine whether a coating thickness can be measured on a particular material—and which probe is suitable—it is important to first understand the measurement principle and how the probe interacts with the substrate.
Agaram Industries is the Indian distributor of coating thickness measurement instruments from Yowexa Sensor Systems. To get a quotation with the DFT meter price, you can fill up this form or send an email to sales@agaramindia.com
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