"As a discipline, coating thickness testing to combat corrosion has been around for years," says Aivars Freidenfelds, vice president at ElektroPhysik, Arlington Heights, Ill. "But in today's ever-competitive world market, manufacturers increasingly must walk the fine line of scrutinizing materials costs while adhering to strict quality standards. Requirements for target coating thickness have been established to help minimize the amount of coating needed during coating operations."
Today's thickness gages also are more simplified, and are far more advanced and sensitive than in years past, Freidenfelds adds. "While there are conditions to be aware of to ensure accurate measuring, they no longer are used solely to prevent corrosion. Today, the technology has grown to the point where a variety of instruments are available for multiple coatings on steel, for example, and for insulating coatings on nonferrous metals, including anodizing or paint on aluminum and zinc die casting."