Industrial Services

Measurement of Metal and Oxide Coating Thickness

Plating or coating is the application of a surface layer to another material. It makes the surfaces of manufactured parts perform with a number of desirable physical, chemical, and appearance qualities. Nearly all fabricated products made of metal have some type of surface finishing. Plating increases strength, durability, prevents corrosion, provides hardness, and/or gives an attractive finish to a part or an object.

Examples of coating materials that can be measured this way include:

  • Copper
  • Tin Lead
  • Silver
  • Nickel
  • Anodizing 
  • Zinc Plating
  • Powder coating
  • Other Metallic coating

Finite element Analysis
Industrial Services

Why Use Metal Coatings?

Coating thickness is key to protecting materials.



Coating thickness measurements are important elements of plating materials because the effectiveness, longevity, and cost of the final product depend both on the appropriate selection of coating material and on the amount applied, and the final surface texture. A microstructural examination is performed to define the thickness of metal coatings or oxide layers.




coating thickness

coating thickness



Industrial Services

Coating thickness measurement process

The coating thickness measurement is done with specialized software that is connected to either an optical or scanning electron microscope. This allows our experts to measure the thickness of metallic coatings or oxide layers. A sample must first undergo an appropriate metallographic preparation.



Reference Standards

ASTM B487 & B748 are the international standards used to complete measurements of metal and oxide coating thickness. Vista Engineering is ISO 17025 Accredited for these standards, so our clients can be confident in the quality of the results our laboratory produces.

Location

130 Citation Ct.
Homewood, AL 35209

Centrally located to serve the Southeastern US.
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