News & Press Releases

Typically, to measure coating thickness in cross-linked state contacting measuring devices based on the eddy current or magnetic-inductive principle are used. The disadvantage of these measuring devices is a complex calibration procedure, as properties such as the geometry, conductivity and magnetizability of the base components must be considered. On objects with complicated shapes, such as car wheels, a separate calibration is necessary for almost every measuring point, which makes a full-coverage measurement of the coating thickness practically impossible. By contrast, noncontact coating thickness measuring devices using Advanced Thermal Optics are based on the thermal properties of the coating. The thermal properties of different paints and coatings are very similar but show measurable differences.

In cooperation with EUROLACKE powder coatings, the company coatmaster AG has now created a material database for the non-contact coating thickness gauge coatmaster Flex, which allows calibration-free and µm-accurate coating thickness measurement of Axalta powder coatings on metallic substrates before and after curing. The database has calibrations of over 400 different RAL colours. The individual calibrations can be used universally for both plain and textured coatings.

Coaters will be able to access the material database and transfer ready calibrations to their devices via the website http://coatmaster.cloud from 13 March 2023.

According to Tore Sievers from EUROLACKE powder coatings: “We always want to offer our customers the best possible service. With the material database, our products can be measured precisely – without additional calibration.”

Prof. Dr. Nils Reinke from coatmaster commented: “The coatmaster Flex is an enormous help, as quality specifications from Qualicoat and GSB can already be monitored before curing. The material database is therefore continuously expanded with calibrations for powder coatings before curing. Calibrations of products from other powder coating manufacturers will also be added step by step.”

Figure 1 Calibration-free coating thickness measurement of powder coatings on metallic substrates in the Colour Experience Center of EUROLACKE powder coatings www.eurolacke.de