CFRP: portable gauges enable high precision, non-destructive coating thickness measurements

A range of compact handheld gauges for measuring the coating or paint thickness on CFRP (carbon fibre reinforced plastic) and metal substrates is now available in the UK from Micro-Epsilon. Based on microwave technology, the gauges measure the total layer thickness of insulating materials with micrometer precision.

Knowing the thickness of paint applied to a CFRP or metal substrate is valuable for manufacturers and users alike. Too much paint can lead to increased weight and stiffness, as well as the excess cost of raw materials and rework. Too little paint could lead to premature ageing or poor aesthetic quality of the final product.

Two ranges of non-destructive coating thickness gauge are available from Micro-Epsilon.

The FSC (Fast Surface Check) series, which includes the FSC1/7 and FSC1000 versions, is the preferred choice of renowned aircraft manufacturers, airlines and paint shops. The FSC series is approved, recognised and listed as ‘thickness gauges for the aviation industry’ by the manufacturers.

The ISC1000 (Industrial Surface Check) series is designed for general industrial and process manufacturing applications. This coating thickness gauge is used for random thickness checks, process control and quality inspections on CFRP substrates, including CFRP laid materials, CFRP woven materials, CFRP with lightning protection, and metals.

With FSC and ISC gauges, neither the target surface (coating or paint) nor the substrate is affected by the measurement. In the case of multi-layer coatings, the total thickness of insulating layers is always measured up to the first conductive material layer. 

The measurement can be performed on any metallic substrate with the same signal quality regardless of electric and magnetic properties. The gauges are factory-calibrated and can then be individually adjusted to the customer’s substrate (CFRP, metals) using the included calibration foils. The adjustment only needs to be done once for measurement on any metal substrate.

Glenn Wedgbrow, Business Development Manager at Micro-Epsilon comments: “Unlike competing systems, the FSC and ISC gauges measure without residue or coupling medium. They are truly non-destructive with nothing to clean after the measurement. The systems can be used from 1µm substrate thickness and do not require a minimum layer thickness. This means that thin coating layers can be measured on even the thinnest metallic substrates.”

FSC and ISC gauges are supplied with a separate controller with a large LCD touch display for indicating measurement values. The controller offers numerous functions including measurement value memory with USB data export; statistical functions; individual adjustment possibilities; and dynamic tilt prevention which warns the user if there is movement during the measurement.

The measurement is triggered by pressing a button on the sensor or via the controller. As well as the sensor and controller, all FSC and ISC devices are supplied in a robust hard case with a complete set of accessories including battery pack, charger, cables and calibration foils.