The degree of profile on the surface affects a coating’s overall performance and determines aspects such as adhesion, coverage and overall volume of coatings used. If the profile is too large the amount of coating required increases, otherwise there is a danger that the peaks remain uncoated – allowing rust spots to occur. If the profile is too small there may be an insufficient key for adequate adhesion.
Surface Profiles – achieved through blasting also known as Blast profiles
The proper and effective preparation of a surface prior to coating is essential. Making sure that the correct roughness, or profile, has been generated is essential.
If the profile is too low, the adhesion of the coating to the surface will be reduced. Too high and there is the danger that the profile peaks will remain uncoated – allowing rust spots to occur. If the profile is too high the chances of the paint in the valleys curing correctly are also reduced.
Surface Profiles can be measured in 3 different ways:
Needle type gauges – where the foot of the gauge sits on the peak and the needle extends to the valley or wherever the point is placed. You would take a number of readings to get a correct average, usually 10 readings are required. Needle type gauges can be split into the Analogue Model (Elcometer 123) and the Digital Model (Elcometer 224).
Replica tape – an option where you would rub the tape against the surface and get an image of the surface which you would then measure with the Elcometer 124 Thickness Gauge
Surface Comparator – measuring profile but it is very subjective and not repeatable and reproducible.
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Elcometer 123 Surface Profile Gauge
Elcometer 224 Digital Surface Profile Gauge
Elcometer 122 Testex Replica Tape
Elcometer 124 Dial Thickness Gauge
Elcometer 125 Surface Comparators
Please click on the appropriate image or on the heading for more information about each instrument.
The Elcometer 119 Pipe Pit Gauge is a small pocket sized gauge designed to identify the condition of a pipe. The gauge is placed horizontally on the surface of the pipe and the stylus is positioned into the base of the corrosion pit. The gauge shows the pit depth compared to with the nominal pipe wall thickness.
Elcometer 125 Surface Comparators These extremely durable comparators allow the estimation of surface roughness of either grit and shot blasted surfaces. Using the Elcometer 125 Surface Comparators as a reference, the blasted profile can be compared to the four reference profile grades in each comparator. Profiles are recorded in microns. 4 Roughness Values per Comparator
The Elcometer 124 Dial Thickness Gauge is used to measure the peak-to-valley height of a surface profile moulded in the Elcometer 122 Testex Replica Tape. Available in both Metric and Imperial versions. Quick and easy to use. Anvil pressure as required in the Standards.
The Elcometer 122 Testex® Replica Tape is designed to provide a permanent mould of the surface profile, which can then be measured using a thickness gauge. Elcometer 122 Testex® Tape consists of foam with a non-compressible backing. The foam side is rubbed into the surface providing a permanent mould of the peak-to-valley profile. The profile of the surface can then be measured using the Elcometer 124 Thickness Gauge. Elcometer 122 Testex® Replica Tape is available in four profile ranges. It is … Read More
Elcometer 224 Digital Surface Profile Gauge provides the very latest in surface profile measuring technology for measuring profile on either flat or curved surfaces. Fast and reliable peak-to-valley surface profile measurement, the New 224 can accurately measure surface profile on flat or curved surfaces up to 500μm (20mils). Measures both average peak-to-valley and average maximum peak-to-valley height. Portable, rugged hand-held design is ideal for field use.
Elcometer 123 Surface Profile Gauge The Elcometer 123 Surface Profile Gauge is an easy to use gauge that measures the point-to-valley height of a surface. The average of a series of measurements provides an indication of the surface roughness and allows the surfaces to be compared. Simple and low cost Metric and Imperial Versions
