The Elcometer 3520 Baker Film Applicator is a hardened stainless steel applicator used to draw down a wet coating film of a specified thickness and width onto a flat, relatively firm substrate. Consistent film application is the foundation of repeatable coatings testing: if the wet film thickness varies across the panel, every downstream measurement of opacity, gloss, drying time or adhesion is compromised. The Elcometer 3520 fixes the geometry of the draw-down so each sample is prepared the same way.

The applicator has a cylindrical body machined to four high-precision coating thickness sizes, so a single gauge can lay down films at four set depths. Most models, including the Elcometer 3520/1 to 3520/5, cover film thicknesses of 30, 60, 90 and 120 microns, while the Elcometer 3520/101 covers a heavier range of 50, 100, 150 and 200 microns. Film widths run from 25mm up to 250mm across the range, with widths of 25, 50, 60, 75 and 100mm among the available models. To find the total width of the applicator, add 30mm to the stated film width.

The Elcometer 3520 can be used in accordance with ASTM D 823-E, a recognised method for producing uniform films of paint or related coatings for test purposes. It can be drawn by hand or fitted to the Elcometer 4340 Motorised Film Applicator for greater repeatability, and an optional calibration certificate is available. Used in coatings laboratories and quality control, the Elcometer 3520 Baker Film Applicator is supplied by BAMR, South Africa's authorised Elcometer distributor.