Advancements for Common and Complex Advancements for Common and Complex Advancements for Common and Complex Advancements for Common and Complex Coating Thickness Measurement ApplicationsCoating Thickness Measurement ApplicationsCoating Thickness Measurement ApplicationsCoating Thickness Measurement Applications

Rob WeberSales Engineer – SE United States

Fischer Technology

Coating Thickness Measurement Coating Thickness Measurement Coating Thickness Measurement Coating Thickness Measurement Discussion TopicsDiscussion TopicsDiscussion TopicsDiscussion Topics

• Test Methods Related to Metal Finishing Measurement

• Instruments for Measuring the Thickness of Coatings

• Accuracy • Accuracy

What should you consider to measure accurately?

What factors influence coating thickness measurement?

What can be achieved by improved process control?

• Efficient Documentation Procedures

Test Methods Used For Metal Finishing Test Methods Used For Metal Finishing Test Methods Used For Metal Finishing Test Methods Used For Metal Finishing ApplicationsApplicationsApplicationsApplications

Coating/Plating Thickness:Coating/Plating Thickness:Coating/Plating Thickness:Coating/Plating Thickness:• X-ray Fluorescence• Beta-backscatter• Magnetic Induction• Amplitude Eddy-current• Phase-sensitive Eddy-current• Coulometric• Coulometric• Hall Effect

Materials Testing/Analysis:Materials Testing/Analysis:Materials Testing/Analysis:Materials Testing/Analysis:• EDXRF• Conductivity• Ferrite Content• Micro-Hardness Measurement

XXXX----Ray Fluorescence InstrumentsRay Fluorescence InstrumentsRay Fluorescence InstrumentsRay Fluorescence Instruments

XXXX----Ray Ray Ray Ray FlourescenceFlourescenceFlourescenceFlourescence InstrumentsInstrumentsInstrumentsInstruments

Used for:

Multi-layer coating thickness and material analysis

High Reliability Electronic Components

Counterfeit Parts Identification

Solution Analysis

WEEE/RoHS Compliance

X-Ray Fluorescence Method• Incident X-ray Beam strikes

sample

• Excitation of characteristic X-ray Fluorescence (photoelectric effect)

• Element Specific characteristic radiation is

• Element Specific characteristic radiation is detected

• Software evaluates Spectrum

• Non-destructive and quick

XRF Analysis and MeasurementXRF Analysis and MeasurementXRF Analysis and MeasurementXRF Analysis and Measurement• XRF analyzes for

mass/area– Known spot size– Examines layered

material as a ‘bulk’ material

‘Bulk’ vs. Layers

material– Software ‘recipe’

analyzes data as a layered structure

6

Bench Top Coating ThicknessBench Top Coating ThicknessBench Top Coating ThicknessBench Top Coating Thickness

Multi Measurement SystemMulti Measurement SystemMulti Measurement SystemMulti Measurement SystemCoating Thickness

Electrical Conductivity

Ferrite ContentFerrite Content

Soft layers, oil, and lubricating films

Copper coatings on pc boards

Electroplated coatings

Hand Held Coating ThicknessHand Held Coating ThicknessHand Held Coating ThicknessHand Held Coating Thickness

Dry Film Thickness GaugesDry Film Thickness GaugesDry Film Thickness GaugesDry Film Thickness GaugesIntegrated Probes

Separate Interchangeable probes

Basic

MemoryMemory

Ferrous

Non-Ferrous

Dual Ferrous and Non-Ferrous

Measurement StandardsMeasurement StandardsMeasurement StandardsMeasurement Standards

ASTM D 7091, ISO 2178, 2360

PhasePhasePhasePhase----Sensitive Coating GaugeSensitive Coating GaugeSensitive Coating GaugeSensitive Coating Gauge

PHASCOPE ® PMP10PHASCOPE ® PMP10PHASCOPE ® PMP10PHASCOPE ® PMP10Complex applications

FastenersFasteners

Plating Thickness

Duplex coatings

Duplex Coating MeasurementDuplex Coating MeasurementDuplex Coating MeasurementDuplex Coating Measurement

AccuracyAccuracyAccuracyAccuracy

Using Certified Calibration Foils or standards to verify gauge accuracy is good business practice

Instrument Calibration HistoryInstrument Calibration HistoryInstrument Calibration HistoryInstrument Calibration History

Keeping a record of an instrument’s calibration history is good business practice. The above example details the information about the calibration of the Fischer FMP40 Gauge pictured on left

Monitoring Film Thickness Consistency Monitoring Film Thickness Consistency Monitoring Film Thickness Consistency Monitoring Film Thickness Consistency

Even small Even small Even small Even small manufacturers manufacturers manufacturers manufacturers benefit and can benefit and can benefit and can benefit and can quickly measure quickly measure quickly measure quickly measure quickly measure quickly measure quickly measure quickly measure their payback their payback their payback their payback with process with process with process with process controlcontrolcontrolcontrol

Factors that InfluenceFactors that InfluenceFactors that InfluenceFactors that Influence

Coating Thickness MeasurementCoating Thickness MeasurementCoating Thickness MeasurementCoating Thickness Measurement

Factors Influence ReadingsFactors Influence ReadingsFactors Influence ReadingsFactors Influence Readings

Fischer addresses each factor by Fischer addresses each factor by providings solutions to complex challenges faced by contractors and inspectors each day

According to ISO 2178, ASTM B499, ISO 2360, ASTM B244, ASTM D7091

Coating Thickness Probes for Common Coating Thickness Probes for Common Coating Thickness Probes for Common Coating Thickness Probes for Common and Complex Applicationsand Complex Applicationsand Complex Applicationsand Complex Applications

For Thick Coatings

For Thin Coatings

For Hard to Reach areas

For Curvatures

For Edge Effect

For Surface Roughness

For Soft Coatings

For Duplex Coatings

For Underwater Measurement

Use the Correct Probe for the Measurement Task Use the Correct Probe for the Measurement Task Use the Correct Probe for the Measurement Task Use the Correct Probe for the Measurement Task Selection ConsiderationsSelection ConsiderationsSelection ConsiderationsSelection Considerations

• Surface roughness• Edge effects

– How close can you get to an edge with minimal effect on a measurement value?effect on a measurement value?

• Coating material• Coating thickness• Substrate material• Consult the vendor as required to be sure the

probe choice is optimal for your needs

Use the Correct Probe for the Use the Correct Probe for the Use the Correct Probe for the Use the Correct Probe for the Measurement TaskMeasurement TaskMeasurement TaskMeasurement Task

• Select a probe with the correct measurement range• On aluminum and non-ferrous bases look for

probes with automatic ‘conductivity compensation’– Much less sensitive to differences in base

materialsmaterials• Consider probes with ‘curvature compensation’

– Much less sensitive to part shape• Select the probe tip to meet the job.

– Wide tip or dual tip probes on rough surfaces

Data CommunicationData CommunicationData CommunicationData Communication

Common Data Communication Methods

Bluetooth® (Optional)

USB Port

RS-232 (Optional)

Inspection Report CreationInspection Report CreationInspection Report CreationInspection Report Creation

Inspection PlansInspection PlansInspection PlansInspection Plans

Plan and Measurement Sequence Plan and Measurement Sequence Plan and Measurement Sequence Plan and Measurement Sequence on Gauge Displayon Gauge Displayon Gauge Displayon Gauge Display

Example Input Request Example Selection Example Yes or No Example Message

Completing the Inspection Plan Completing the Inspection Plan Completing the Inspection Plan Completing the Inspection Plan

Evaluation of ResultsEvaluation of ResultsEvaluation of ResultsEvaluation of Results

Measurement ApplicationsMeasurement ApplicationsMeasurement ApplicationsMeasurement Applications

ConclusionConclusionConclusionConclusion-There are Multiple Test Methods Related to Coating Thickness Measurement

- Utilizing the Appropriate Test Method for the Specific Application is necessary

-Performance capabilities such as accuracy should be considered -Performance capabilities such as accuracy should be considered especially in regards to factors that influence coating thickness measurement

- Efficiency is enhanced with hardware and software capabilities that reduce the likelihood of errors from taking place

- Selective analysis of measured results and paperless report documentation are now possible with hand held instrumentation