The Elcometer 4360 and 4361 Spiral Bar Coaters are stainless steel applicators used to apply a predetermined film thickness for coatings with high levelling characteristics. Coatings that flow out and self-level need an applicator that meters a known volume evenly across the substrate; a spiral bar coater does this so that the dried film is consistent and tests on it are fair and comparable.

Each coater is a cylindrical bar wound with stainless steel wire, and the wire diameter sets the coating thickness. The range covers thicknesses from 4 to 500 microns, with individual models stepping through values such as 4, 10, 20, 40, 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 microns. Two standard bar widths are available, 140 mm (Elcometer 4361 series, part numbers K0004361P001 onward) and 250 mm (Elcometer 4360 series, part numbers K0004360P001 onward), so the film width can be matched to the substrate or test chart, with other widths available on request. The coaters can be used by hand or with the Elcometer 4340 Motorised Film Applicator for greater consistency.

They can be used in accordance with ASTM D 4147, the standard practice for sampling and preparation of coatings using a spiral bar coater. Used in paint and coatings laboratories, product development and quality control, they are supplied by BAMR, South Africa's authorised Elcometer distributor.