Introduction
A dry film thickness gauge is an instrument used to measure the thickness of the dry films and the coatings on the substrates, and it is used in the paint, the coating, the automotive, the construction, and the many other industries for the quality control and the inspection. The dry film thickness gauge measures the thickness by the various methods, including the magnetic method, which is used for the coatings on the ferromagnetic substrates, in which the magnetic flux is measured; the eddy current method, which is used for the coatings on the non-ferromagnetic substrates, in which the eddy current is measured; and the ultrasonic method, and the gauge provides the thickness, expressed in micrometers or mils, with features such as the digital display, the data logging, and the statistics; the dry film thickness gauge is used for the measurement of the thickness of the paint and the powder coatings, for the measurement of the thickness of the coatings on the metals, for the measurement of the thickness of the galvanized and the anodized layers, for the quality control, for the inspection, for the compliance with the specifications, and for many other applications, and it is available as the handheld and the benchtop models; the dry film thickness gauge is an essential instrument for the coating thickness measurement. Dry film thickness gauges are used in the paint and the coating industry, in the automotive industry, in the construction, in the manufacturing, and for many other applications. With their thickness measurement, dry film thickness gauges are essential for the coating quality control.
Dry Film Thickness Gauge LDFT-T2012
Dry Film Thickness Gauge offers a minimum substrate thickness of 0.1mm, ensuring accurate readings on metallic surfaces. It is integrated with an anti-spill-resistant control panel, prev...
Dry Film Thickness Gauge LDFT-T2011
Drying Film Thickness Gauge features a minimum measuring area of 6mm², enabling precise coating evaluations on small or confined surface sections. It delivers dual measurement technolog...
Dry Film Thickness Gauge LDFT-T2010
Dry Film Thickness Gauge offers a measuring range of 0 μm to 5000µm, accurately assessing coating thickness on both ferrous and non-ferrous substrates. The instrument has a digital wor...
Standards
ISO 2808:2019-Paints and varnishes-Determination of film thickness
ASTM D7091-Standard Practice for Nondestructive Measurement of Dry Film Thickness of Coatings
Complies with the above standards, but is not limited to them.
Features
1. Dry film thickness gauge for non-destructive measurement of coating thickness on metal substrates.
2. Magnetic or eddy current gauge for measuring paint, powder coating, galvanizing and anodizing thickness.
3. Suitable for paint, coating, automotive, aerospace, marine, construction, galvanizing and quality control labs.
4. Includes gauge body, probe, calibration standards, batteries, carrying case and operation manual.
5. Supports dry film thickness measurement on steel (magnetic) and non-ferrous metals (eddy current) substrates.
FAQ
Q1: What testing scenarios is this gauge mainly applied to?
A: The dry film thickness (DFT) gauge is used in paint and coating application, automotive manufacturing, aerospace, marine and shipbuilding, construction, galvanizing, anodizing, powder coating, and quality control to non-destructively measure the thickness of dry coatings (paint, powder coating, galvanizing, anodizing, plating) on metal substrates, ensuring coating thickness meets specification for corrosion protection, appearance, and performance. It supports paint and coating inspection (measure DFT on painted steel structures (bridges, pipelines, tanks, buildings), automotive bodies, furniture, equipment; verify coating thickness per specification (e.g., 50-100 micrometers for interior paint, 150-300 micrometers for protective coatings), automotive (paint thickness on car bodies (OEM and refinish), powder coating on wheels and parts, e-coat thickness measurement; detect over/under application, ensure corrosion protection), aerospace (coating thickness on aircraft skins, engine components, fasteners; strict specifications for weight and corrosion control), marine and shipbuilding (antifouling and anticorrosive coatings on hulls, decks, superstructures; thick coatings (200-500+ micrometers) require extended range gauges), construction (paint on structural steel, concrete coatings, fireproofing coatings, powder coating on aluminum extrusions and window frames), galvanizing (zinc coating thickness on hot-dip galvanized steel per ASTM A123, ISO 1461; verify minimum coating weight/thickness for corrosion protection), anodizing (anodic coating thickness on aluminum per ASTM B580, ISO 7599; verify decorative and protective anodize thickness), plating (electroplating thickness (zinc, nickel, chrome, cadmium) on metal parts per ASTM B567, ISO 2177), powder coating (thickness of powder coatings on metal substrates (typically 50-150 micrometers); verify cure and coverage), and quality control (incoming material inspection, in-process monitoring, final inspection, coating conformity assessment per ISO 19840, SSPC-PA2, ASTM D7091).
Q2: What standards does the gauge comply with?
A: The dry film thickness gauge follows relevant ASTM, ISO, SSPC and GB/T standards including ASTM D7091 (standard practice for nondestructive measurement of dry film thickness of nonmagnetic coatings applied to a ferrous base and nonconductive coatings applied to a nonferrous metal base), ASTM B499 (magnetic method for coating thickness on steel), ASTM B567 (beta backscatter and eddy current method), ASTM B580 (anodic coating thickness on aluminum), ASTM A123/A153 (galvanizing coating thickness), ISO 19840 (paints and varnishes - measurement of dry film thickness of coatings on rough or textured surfaces), ISO 2177 (metallic coatings - measurement of thickness - beta backscatter method), ISO 1461 (hot-dip galvanized coatings), SSPC-PA2 (measurement of dry film thickness with magnetic gages), and GB/T standards for coating thickness measurement. The gauge should be certified to meet accuracy requirements (typically +/- 3% or +/- 2 micrometers, whichever is greater, per ISO 2178/2360). Calibration should use certified thickness standards (foils/shims traceable to national standards - NIST, PTB, NIM).
Q3: What is the warranty period for the whole gauge and key components?
A: The whole dry film thickness gauge is covered by a 12-month warranty. The gauge body, probe (integral or separate), electronics, display, and housing are covered, while batteries, probe wear cap (for some models), calibration foils/shims, carrying case, and cables (for separate probe) are consumables or accessories. Damage from improper use, dropping/impact (gauges are portable and can be dropped - protect with case), probe damage (scratched or worn probe tip affects accuracy - replace probe or wear cap), liquid ingress (some gauges are not waterproof - do not immerse), calibration drift, or unauthorized repair is excluded. Extended warranty may be available. Probe tips have finite lifespan (wear from repeated contact with rough surfaces).
Q4: Is this device difficult to operate? Is professional training required?
A: Operation is simple for basic measurement (calibrate, place probe on surface, read value). No professional training is required for basic use, but for accurate and reliable measurements, users should understand calibration, substrate effects, and measurement techniques. We provide operation manuals and training. Proper gauge selection (magnetic (ferrous) probe for steel/iron substrates (measures non-magnetic coatings: paint, powder, galvanizing, chrome on steel; works on magnetic attraction principle - coating thickness reduces magnetic pull), eddy current (non-ferrous) probe for aluminum, copper, stainless steel, brass (measures non-conductive coatings: paint, anodizing, powder on non-ferrous metals; works on eddy current principle), combination gauge (both magnetic and eddy current - auto-detects substrate type; most versatile), probe type (integral probe (built into gauge body - convenient for flat surfaces), separate probe (on cable - for hard-to-reach areas, curved surfaces, high temperatures), calibration (zero calibration on bare, uncoated substrate (same material, roughness, and curvature as test piece - critical for accuracy; zero on smooth bare steel for ferrous, bare aluminum for non-ferrous; if substrate is rough or curved, zero on similar bare substrate), known thickness calibration (use certified foil/shim of known thickness placed on bare substrate - verifies accuracy; calibrate at thickness close to expected measurement range; for high accuracy, do 2-point calibration (zero + known thickness)), verify calibration before each use and after temperature changes, battery change, or probe replacement), measurement technique (place probe perpendicular to surface (90 degrees); do not slide or drag probe (causes wear and inaccurate readings); apply consistent pressure (most gauges have automatic measurement when probe contacts surface; wait for beep/reading before lifting); take multiple readings (coating thickness varies - take 3-5 readings in an area and average; per SSPC-PA2: take 5 spot measurements in each 100 sq ft area, average; for rough surfaces, take more readings), avoid edges (measure at least 1 inch (25 mm) from edges, holes, corners (edge effect causes inaccurate readings - magnetic field/eddy current distorted near edges), avoid curved surfaces (curvature affects readings - use curved substrate calibration or special probe; for pipes, use appropriate technique), surface preparation (surface should be clean (remove dirt, grease, loose rust; do not remove coating), dry, and stable; for hot surfaces, use high-temperature probe (standard probes may be damaged above 50-60 degrees C; some gauges have high-temp probes for up to 200+ degrees C), reading and recording (read value on display (typically micrometers or mils (1 mil = 25.4 micrometers); switch units as needed; record readings (some gauges have data logging and USB/Bluetooth for data transfer; for QC, record location, reading, date, operator), post-measurement (turn off gauge (auto-off typically), store in carrying case, replace batteries when low (low battery affects accuracy), periodic recalibration (per schedule or if readings seem off)), maintenance (clean probe tip (wipe with soft cloth; do not use abrasive cleaners), inspect probe for wear (replace wear cap or probe if tip is worn/damaged), keep calibration foils clean and undamaged (store in case; do not bend or scratch), check battery level), and quality control (follow specification (minimum/maximum DFT, average DFT; record results; flag out-of-spec areas for touch-up or repair; for protective coatings, DFT affects corrosion protection (too thin = inadequate protection, too thick = cracking, poor adhesion, wasted material)) are important for accurate DFT measurement.
Q5: What is the typical lead-time for order delivery?
A: Standard models require 7-30 working days. In-stock units can ship within 3-7 working days. Custom configurations or large built-to-order systems may require additional time, and we confirm the exact schedule before order confirmation.
Q6: Is regular calibration required? What is the recommended calibration cycle?
A: Calibration verification recommended before each use (zero on bare substrate, verify with certified foil/shim). Full calibration (adjustment) recommended every 3-6 months or if readings are inaccurate, after probe replacement, battery change, or physical damage. Annual calibration by accredited laboratory (ISO/IEC 17025) recommended for regulated industries (automotive, aerospace, marine) - certificate of calibration traceable to national standards. Calibration should include: zero calibration on bare substrate, verification at multiple thickness points (e.g., 50, 100, 200, 500 micrometers) using certified foils/shims, linearity check, and adjustment if out of tolerance. For rough or curved surfaces, verify calibration on similar substrate (roughness and curvature affect readings - use calibration shims on actual bare substrate or use correction factors). Keep calibration records (date, standards used, readings, adjustments, operator) for quality systems (ISO 9001, ISO/IEC 17025).
Q7: Are supporting consumables universal?
A: Calibration foils/shims (certified thickness standards - available from gauge manufacturers and third-party suppliers (Elcometer, DeFelsko, BYK, Fischer; ensure compatibility with gauge type (magnetic vs eddy current) and thickness range; foils are typically polyester or plastic shims with certified thickness), batteries (AA/AAA or 9V - standard), probe wear caps/tips (specific to gauge model - replace when worn), carrying case (specific to model), cables (for separate probe - specific to model), data transfer software/cable (USB, Bluetooth - specific to gauge model), and cleaning supplies are available from coating inspection supply companies, though probe parts and calibration accessories are gauge-specific. Long-term consumable cost includes calibration foils (periodic replacement if damaged), batteries, and occasional probe replacement.
Q8: Can I customize parameters or supporting accessories?
A: Customization includes measurement range (standard 0-1500 micrometers (0-60 mils) for most coatings; extended range 0-5000 micrometers (0-200 mils) for thick coatings (marine, pipeline, concrete coatings); micro-range 0-200 micrometers for thin films/plating), accuracy (standard +/- 3% or +/- 2 micrometers; high precision +/- 1% or +/- 1 micrometer for critical applications), substrate type (ferrous only (magnetic), non-ferrous only (eddy current), combination (auto-detect - most popular), probe type (integral (built-in), separate (on cable - 1-2 m cable for hard-to-reach), right-angle probe (for corners/edges), high-temperature probe (up to 200-500 degrees C for hot surfaces), small-diameter probe (for small parts, wires), roller probe (for continuous scanning on flat surfaces), display and controls (LCD/OLED display, backlight, units (micrometers/mils), statistics (average, max, min, standard deviation), data logging (store 1000+ readings, USB/Bluetooth export), memory (batch IDs, job names), alarms (out-of-spec audible/visual alarm), language (multi-language), construction (IP rating (IP54/IP65 for dust/water resistance - for field use), rubber housing (drop protection), ergonomic design, belt clip), certifications (ISO 17025 calibration certificate, CE, FCC, RoHS), language and accessories. Additional probes, calibration foils, software, and accessories can be ordered separately.
Q9: Does the purchase include on-site installation and commissioning service?
A: Standard delivery includes the DFT gauge, probe (integral or separate), calibration foils/shims (basic set), batteries, carrying case and instruction manual. On-site installation is not required (portable, battery-operated - ready to use after calibration). On-site training is not included for standard orders but can be arranged at additional cost (for coating inspection teams, QC departments). Remote guidance is provided.
Q10: What types of coatings and substrates are compatible with this equipment?
A: The dry film thickness gauge measures non-destructively on: Ferrous substrates (steel, iron, cast iron, wrought iron) using magnetic (ferrous) probe: paints and coatings (acrylic, epoxy, polyurethane, alkyd, latex, chlorinated rubber, vinyl - all non-magnetic coatings), powder coatings (polyester, epoxy, hybrid - all non-magnetic), galvanizing (zinc coating on steel - zinc is non-magnetic (pure zinc; zinc-iron alloy layers may have some magnetic properties at high thickness - verify with standard), electroplating (zinc, nickel (note: nickel is magnetic - magnetic gauge may not work on nickel plating; use eddy current or other method), chrome, cadmium, copper (all non-magnetic except nickel)), rubber and plastic coatings (PVC, polyethylene, neoprene - non-magnetic), mill scale (not a coating, but affects reading - remove before measurement), and other non-magnetic coatings on steel. Non-ferrous substrates (aluminum, copper, brass, bronze, stainless steel (austenitic - non-magnetic; note: some stainless steels (martensitic, ferritic) are magnetic - use magnetic probe), zinc, titanium, magnesium) using eddy current (non-ferrous) probe: paints and coatings (all non-conductive coatings - same as above), anodizing (aluminum oxide coating on aluminum - non-conductive), powder coatings (non-conductive), electroplating (chrome, nickel, silver, gold, tin on non-ferrous substrates - note: conductive metallic coatings on non-ferrous substrates may not be measurable by eddy current (eddy current measures non-conductive coatings on conductive substrates; conductive coatings (metal plating) on metal substrates require beta backscatter, XRF, or coulometric method), conversion coatings (chromate, phosphate - very thin, may be below gauge resolution), and other non-conductive coatings on non-ferrous metals. NOT compatible with: Non-metal substrates (concrete, wood, plastic, glass, paper - magnetic/eddy current gauges require metal substrate; for these, use destructive methods (cross-section, gravimetric) or ultrasonic thickness gauge), conductive coatings on metal substrates (metallic plating on metal - eddy current cannot distinguish coating from substrate if both are conductive; use XRF, beta backscatter, coulometric, or magnetic (for non-magnetic plating on steel)), magnetic coatings on steel (nickel plating, some zinc-iron alloys - magnetic gauge reads incorrectly; use other methods), very thin coatings (<5 micrometers - below resolution of most gauges; use XRF, ellipsometry, or coulometric), very thick coatings (>5000 micrometers - beyond standard range; use extended range gauge or ultrasonic), flexible substrates (foil, thin sheet - may flex during measurement; use rigid backing or special technique), and wet films (use wet film comb or wheel for wet thickness; DFT gauge measures only dry coatings). IMPORTANT: DFT measurement fundamentals: (1) Magnetic method (ferrous): Probe contains a permanent magnet and spring mechanism; the force required to pull the probe from the coated surface is proportional to coating thickness (thicker coating = more distance between magnet and steel = less magnetic attraction = lower pull-off force); modern gauges use electronic magnetic induction (measure magnetic field strength) for faster, more accurate readings. Works only on magnetic substrates (steel, iron) with non-magnetic coatings. (2) Eddy current method (non-ferrous): Probe contains a coil carrying alternating current, which generates eddy currents in the conductive substrate; the impedance of the coil changes with distance from substrate (coating thickness); thicker coating = more distance = lower eddy current coupling = higher impedance. Works only on conductive substrates (aluminum, copper, stainless steel) with non-conductive coatings. (3) Combination gauges: Auto-detect substrate type (magnetic vs non-magnetic) and switch method accordingly; most versatile for mixed substrate environments. Calibration best practices: (1) Zero on bare, uncoated substrate that matches test piece in material, roughness, and curvature (zeroing on smooth steel when testing rough steel causes errors; zero on similar bare steel). (2) Use certified calibration foils/shims placed on bare substrate to verify accuracy; calibrate at thickness close to expected measurement range (e.g., if measuring 80-120 micrometers, calibrate with 100 micrometer foil). (3) For high accuracy, perform 2-point calibration (zero + known thickness) rather than single-point. (4) Verify calibration before each use, after battery change, probe replacement, temperature change, or if gauge is dropped. (5) For rough surfaces (sandblasted steel, textured coatings), take multiple readings (5-10) and average; roughness causes variation (SSPC-PA2 provides guidance for rough surfaces). (6) For curved surfaces (pipes, cylinders), use correction factors or calibrate on similar curved bare substrate; curvature affects magnetic field/eddy current distribution. (7) Keep probe perpendicular to surface; do not slide; wait for stable reading. Measurement statistics and acceptance: (1) For protective coatings (bridges, pipelines, marine), specifications often require: minimum DFT (no reading below specified minimum), average DFT (average of readings meets or exceeds specified average), maximum DFT (no reading above specified maximum to prevent cracking/adhesion issues). (2) SSPC-PA2 (US standard): For each 100 sq ft (9.3 sq m) area, take 5 spot measurements (each spot = average of 3 gauge readings within 1.5 inch (40 mm) diameter); average of 5 spots = area average; no individual spot average below 80% of specified minimum; area average meets specified minimum. (3) ISO 19840 (international): Similar approach for rough/textured surfaces; defines measurement locations and acceptance criteria. (4) For galvanizing (ASTM A123, ISO 1461): Minimum coating thickness specified (e.g., 85 micrometers for steel >5 mm thick); measure at multiple locations; average meets minimum. (5) For anodizing (ASTM B580, ISO 7599): Coating thickness classes (Class 1: >25 micrometers, Class 2: >15 micrometers, etc.); measure with eddy current or microsection. Common errors: (1) Not zeroing on bare substrate (causes offset error). (2) Measuring near edges (<25 mm) (edge effect). (3) Measuring on dirty/wet surfaces (dirt adds thickness, water affects reading). (4) Using wrong probe type (magnetic probe on aluminum = no reading or error). (5) Sliding probe (causes wear and inconsistent readings). (6) Low battery (affects accuracy - replace when indicated). (7) Not accounting for substrate roughness (rough steel gives higher variation). (8) Measuring on magnetic coatings (nickel plating on steel) with magnetic gauge (reads incorrectly).
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