Paints and varnishes - Determination of film thickness (ISO 2808:2019)

This document describes methods for measuring the thickness of coatings applied to a substrate. Methods for determining wet-film thickness, dry-film thickness and the film thickness of uncured powder layers are described.
For each method described, this document provides an overview of the field of application, existing standards and the precision.
Information on measuring film thickness on rough surfaces is given in Annex B.
Information on measuring film thickness on wooden substrates is given in Annex C.

Beschichtungsstoffe - Bestimmung der Schichtdicke (ISO 2808:2019)

Dieses Dokument legt Verfahren für die Messung der Dicke von Beschichtungen auf einem Substrat fest. Es werden Verfahren zum Bestimmen der Nassschichtdicke, der Trockenschichtdicke sowie der Dicke von nicht eingebrannten Pulverschichten beschrieben.
Zu jedem beschriebenen Verfahren werden der Anwendungsbereich, bereits bestehende Normen und die Präzision angegeben.
Informationen über die Messung der Schichtdicke auf rauen Oberflächen sind im Anhang B enthalten.
Informationen über die Messung der Schichtdicke auf Holzsubstraten sind im Anhang C enthalten.

Peintures et vernis - Détermination de l'épaisseur du feuil (ISO 2808:2019)

Le présent document décrit des méthodes pour mesurer l'épaisseur des revêtements appliqués sur un subjectile. Les méthodes de détermination de l'épaisseur de feuil humide, de feuil sec et de l'épaisseur des couches de poudre non réticulées y sont décrites.
Le présent document fournit une vue d'ensemble du champ d'application, des normes existantes et de la fidélité pour chaque méthode décrite.
L'Annexe B donne des informations sur les mesures de l'épaisseur de feuil sur surfaces rugueuses.
L'Annexe C donne des informations sur les mesures de l'épaisseur du feuil sur des subjectiles en bois.

Barve in laki - Ugotavljanje debeline plasti (ISO 2808:2019)

Ta standard opisuje metode za merjenje debeline plasti, nanesenih na podlago. Opisane so metode za določanje debeline mokre plasti, suhe plasti in debeline plasti nestrjenih prašnih plasti. Za vsako opisano metodo ponuja ta dokument pregled področja uporabe, obstoječih standardov in natančnosti. Informacije o merjenju debeline plasti na grobih površinah so podane v dodatku B. Informacije o merjenju debeline plasti na lesenih podlagah so navedene v dodatku C.

General Information

Status
Published
Publication Date
17-Sep-2019
Withdrawal Date
30-Mar-2020
Current Stage
6060 - Definitive text made available (DAV) - Publishing
Start Date
18-Sep-2019
Completion Date
18-Sep-2019

Relations

Effective Date
25-Sep-2019

Overview

EN ISO 2808:2019 - Paints and varnishes: Determination of film thickness (ISO 2808:2019) specifies standardized methods for measuring the thickness of coatings applied to substrates. It covers procedures for wet‑film thickness, dry‑film thickness, and the film thickness of uncured powder layers, giving for each method the field of application, existing normative references and the expected precision. Annex B addresses measurement on rough surfaces and Annex C covers wooden substrates. This European adoption is identical to ISO 2808:2019 and supersedes EN ISO 2808:2007.

Key topics and technical requirements

  • Scope and definitions: Terms and definitions for coating and film‑thickness measurement are provided to ensure consistent interpretation.
  • Wet‑film measurement methods:
    • Mechanical gauges (comb, wheel, dial)
    • Gravimetric (mass difference)
    • Photothermal techniques
  • Dry‑film measurement methods:
    • Mechanical thickness comparison and depth gauging
    • Optical methods (cross‑sectioning, interferometry, wedge cut)
    • Magnetic methods (magnetic pull‑off, magnetic‑flux, eddy‑current)
    • Radiological (beta backscatter)
    • Photothermal and acoustic (ultrasonic reflection)
    • Electromagnetic (terahertz)
  • Uncured powder layers:
    • Gravimetric procedures and specific handling guidance for pre‑cure thickness determination
  • Method selection guidance: For each method the standard describes field of application, general procedure, and precision information so users can choose appropriate techniques based on substrate, coating type and required accuracy.
  • Special substrates: Practical notes for rough surfaces and wooden substrates (Annexes B and C) to improve measurement reliability.

Practical applications and users

This standard is essential for anyone needing reliable coating thickness measurement in production, inspection or research:

  • Paint and varnish manufacturers - quality control and R&D.
  • Coating applicators and contractors - on‑site acceptance and process control.
  • Inspection bodies and test laboratories - standardized test methods and reporting.
  • Automotive, aerospace, marine and construction sectors - corrosion protection, durability and specification compliance.
  • Spec writers and procurement teams - defining acceptance criteria and test methods in contracts and technical specifications.

Practical benefits include consistent measurement results, improved quality assurance, and clear method selection guidance for different coating systems and substrates.

Related standards

  • Identical to ISO 2808:2019 and supersedes EN ISO 2808:2007.
    (Consult national standards bodies for up‑to‑date cross‑references and any regional implementation details.)

Frequently Asked Questions

EN ISO 2808:2019 is a standard published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Paints and varnishes - Determination of film thickness (ISO 2808:2019)". This standard covers: This document describes methods for measuring the thickness of coatings applied to a substrate. Methods for determining wet-film thickness, dry-film thickness and the film thickness of uncured powder layers are described. For each method described, this document provides an overview of the field of application, existing standards and the precision. Information on measuring film thickness on rough surfaces is given in Annex B. Information on measuring film thickness on wooden substrates is given in Annex C.

This document describes methods for measuring the thickness of coatings applied to a substrate. Methods for determining wet-film thickness, dry-film thickness and the film thickness of uncured powder layers are described. For each method described, this document provides an overview of the field of application, existing standards and the precision. Information on measuring film thickness on rough surfaces is given in Annex B. Information on measuring film thickness on wooden substrates is given in Annex C.

EN ISO 2808:2019 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 87.040 - Paints and varnishes. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.

EN ISO 2808:2019 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN ISO 2808:2007. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.

EN ISO 2808:2019 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.

Standards Content (Sample)


SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-november-2019
Nadomešča:
SIST EN ISO 2808:2007
Barve in laki - Ugotavljanje debeline plasti (ISO 2808:2019)
Paints and varnishes - Determination of film thickness (ISO 2808:2019)
Beschichtungsstoffe - Bestimmung der Schichtdicke (ISO 2808:2019)
Peintures et vernis - Détermination de l'épaisseur du feuil (ISO 2808:2019)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN ISO 2808:2019
ICS:
87.040 Barve in laki Paints and varnishes
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EN ISO 2808
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
September 2019
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 87.040 Supersedes EN ISO 2808:2007
English Version
Paints and varnishes - Determination of film thickness (ISO
2808:2019)
Peintures et vernis - Détermination de l'épaisseur du Beschichtungsstoffe - Bestimmung der Schichtdicke
feuil (ISO 2808:2019) (ISO 2808:2019)
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 21 July 2019.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this
European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references
concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN
member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management
Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and
United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2019 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN ISO 2808:2019 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 3

European foreword
This document (EN ISO 2808:2019) has been prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 35 "Paints and
varnishes" in collaboration with Technical Committee CEN/TC 139 “Paints and varnishes” the
secretariat of which is held by DIN.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by March 2020, and conflicting national standards shall
be withdrawn at the latest by March 2020.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This document supersedes EN ISO 2808:2007.
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria,
Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland,
Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of
North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the
United Kingdom.
Endorsement notice
The text of ISO 2808:2019 has been approved by CEN as EN ISO 2808:2019 without any modification.

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 2808
Fifth edition
2019-07
Paints and varnishes — Determination
of film thickness
Peintures et vernis — Détermination de l'épaisseur du feuil
Reference number
ISO 2808:2019(E)
©
ISO 2019
ISO 2808:2019(E)
© ISO 2019
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting
on the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address
below or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: +41 22 749 01 11
Fax: +41 22 749 09 47
Email: copyright@iso.org
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2019 – All rights reserved

ISO 2808:2019(E)
Contents Page
Foreword .v
Introduction .vi
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Determination of wet-film thickness . 5
4.1 General . 5
4.2 Mechanical methods . 5
4.2.1 Principle . 5
4.2.2 Field of application . 5
4.2.3 General. 5
4.2.4 Method 1A — Comb gauge . 5
4.2.5 Method 1B — Wheel gauge . 6
4.2.6 Method 1C — Dial gauge . 7
4.3 Gravimetric method . 9
4.3.1 Principle . 9
4.3.2 Field of application . 9
4.3.3 General. 9
4.3.4 Method 2 — By difference in mass . 9
4.4 Photothermal method .10
4.4.1 Principle .10
4.4.2 Field of application .10
4.4.3 General.10
4.4.4 Method 3 — Determination using thermal properties .11
5 Determination of dry-film thickness .11
5.1 General .11
5.2 Mechanical methods .11
5.2.1 Principle .11
5.2.2 Field of application .12
5.2.3 General.12
5.2.4 Method 4A — By difference in thickness .12
5.2.5 Method 4B — Depth gauging .15
5.2.6 Method 4C — Surface profile scanning .17
5.3 Gravimetric method .18
5.3.1 Principle .18
5.3.2 Field of application .19
5.3.3 General.19
5.3.4 Method 5 — By difference in mass .19
5.4 Optical methods .19
5.4.1 Principle .19
5.4.2 Field of application .22
5.4.3 General.22
5.4.4 Method 6A — Cross-sectioning . .23
5.4.5 Method 6B — Wedge cut .24
5.4.6 Method 6C — White-light interferometry .24
5.5 Magnetic methods .25
5.5.1 Principle .25
5.5.2 Field of application .25
5.5.3 General.25
5.5.4 Method 7A — Magnetic pull-off gauge .25
5.5.5 Method 7B.1 — Magnetic-flux gauge .26
5.5.6 Method 7B.2 — Magnetic field change, magnetic-induction principle .27
ISO 2808:2019(E)
5.5.7 Method 7C — Eddy-current gauge .28
5.6 Radiological method.29
5.6.1 Principle .29
5.6.2 Field of application .29
5.6.3 General.29
5.6.4 Method 8 — Beta backscatter method .30
5.7 Photothermal method .30
5.7.1 Principle .30
5.7.2 Field of application .31
5.7.3 General.31
5.7.4 Method 9 — Determination using thermal properties .31
5.8 Acoustic method .32
5.8.1 Principle .32
5.8.2 Field of application .32
5.8.3 General.32
5.8.4 Method 10 — Ultrasonic reflection .32
5.9 Electromagnetic method .33
5.9.1 Method 11 — Terahertz method .33
6 Determination of thickness of uncured powder layers .35
6.1 General .35
6.2 Gravimetric method .35
6.2.1 Principle .35
6.2.2 Field of application .35
6.2.3 General.35
6.2.4 Method 12 — By difference in mass .35
6.3 Magnetic methods .36
6.3.1 Principle .36
6.3.2 Field of application .36
6.3.3 General.36
6.3.4 Method 13A — Magnetic-induction method .36
6.3.5 Method 13B — Eddy-current .37
6.4 Photothermal method .38
6.4.1 Principle .38
6.4.2 Field of application .39
6.4.3 General.39
6.4.4 Method 14 — Determination using thermal properties .39
7 Test report .39
Annex A (informative) Overview of methods .41
Annex B (informative) Measurement of film thickness on rough surfaces .44
Annex C (informative) Factors affecting the precision of readings obtained when measuring
on wooden substrates .46
Bibliography .48
iv © ISO 2019 – All rights reserved

ISO 2808:2019(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www .iso .org/directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www .iso .org/patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and
expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the
World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) see www .iso
.org/iso/foreword .html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 35, Paints and varnishes, SC 9, General test
methods for paints and varnishes.
This fifth edition cancels and replaces the fourth edition (ISO 2808:2007), which has been technically
revised. The main changes compared to the previous edition are as follows:
— the terms and definitions have been updated to ISO 4618 and ISO/IEC Guide 99;
— the principle has been revised;
— white-light interferometer has been added as method 6C;
— the terahertz method has been added as method 11;
— the existing methods have been adapted to the current state of metrology;
— the characterisation of the methods and procedures in Annex A have been revised;
— information in Annex A on the precision of the individual methods has been adapted to current
standards;
— the references to test standards and constructions standards in Annex A have been updated;
— former Clause 7 on measurement of the film thickness on rough surfaces has been moved to Annex B;
— Annex C, on factors which influence measuring accuracy when measurements are performed on
wood has been added.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www .iso .org/members .html.
ISO 2808:2019(E)
Introduction
This document consistently enumerates the individual coatings applied in a multi-layer system by
referring to the first coating applied on the substrate as coating 1. Some other standards referring to
individual test methods enumerate in reverse order.
vi © ISO 2019 – All rights reserved

INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 2808:2019(E)
Paints and varnishes — Determination of film thickness
1 Scope
This document describes methods for measuring the thickness of coatings applied to a substrate.
Methods for determining wet-film thickness, dry-film thickness and the film thickness of uncured
powder layers are described.
For each method described, this document provides an overview of the field of application, existing
standards and the precision.
Information on measuring film thickness on rough surfaces is given in Annex B.
Information on measuring film thickness on wooden substrates is given in Annex C.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 3611, Geometrical product specifications (GPS) — Dimensional measuring equipment: Micrometers for
external measurements — Design and metrological characteristics
ISO 4618, Paints and varnishes — Terms and definitions
ISO 8503-1, Preparation of steel substrates before application of paints and related products — Surface
roughness characteristics of blast-cleaned steel substrates — Part 1: Specifications and definitions for ISO
surface profile comparators for the assessment of abrasive blast-cleaned surfaces
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 4618 and the following apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https: //www .iso .org/obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at http: //www .electropedia .org/
3.1
film thickness
distance between the surface of the film and the surface of the substrate
3.2
wet-film thickness
thickness of a freshly applied wet coating material, measured immediately after application
3.3
dry-film thickness
thickness of a coating remaining on the surface when the coating has hardened
3.4
thickness of uncured powder layer
thickness of a freshly applied coating material in powder form, measured immediately after application
and before stoving
ISO 2808:2019(E)
3.5
relevant surface area
part of an object covered or to be covered by the coating and for which the coating is essential for
serviceability and/or appearance
Note 1 to entry: Measurement of this property is only required for the extended evaluation of film thickness
measurements; see Clause 7, k) and l).
3.6
test area
representative part of the relevant surface area within which an agreed number of single measurements
is made as a spot-check
Note 1 to entry: Measurement of this property is only required for the extended evaluation of film thickness
measurements; see Clause 7, k) and l).
3.7
measurement area
area over which a single measurement is made
Note 1 to entry: Measurement of this property is only required for the extended evaluation of film thickness
measurements; see Clause 7, k) and l).
3.8
minimum local film thickness
lowest value of the local film thickness found on the relevant surface area of a particular test specimen
Note 1 to entry: Measurement of this property is only required for the extended evaluation of film thickness
measurements; see Clause 7, k) and l).
3.9
maximum local film thickness
highest value of the local film thickness found on the relevant surface area of a particular test specimen
Note 1 to entry: Measurement of this property is only required for the extended evaluation of film thickness
measurements; see Clause 7, k) and l).
3.10
mean film thickness
arithmetic mean of all the individual dry-film thicknesses (3.3) in the test area or the result of a
gravimetric determination of the thickness
Note 1 to entry: Measurement of this property is only required for the extended evaluation of film thickness
measurements; see Clause 7, k) and l).
3.11
calibration
operation that, under specified conditions, in a first step, establishes a relation between the quantity
values with measurement uncertainties provided by measurement standards and corresponding
indications with associated measurement uncertainties and, in a second step, uses this information to
establish a relation for obtaining a measurement result from an indication
Note 1 to entry: A calibration may be expressed by a statement, calibration function, calibration diagram,
calibration curve, or calibration table. In some cases, it may consist of an additive or multiplicative correction of
the indication with associated measurement uncertainty.
Note 2 to entry: Calibration should not be confused with adjustment of a measuring system, often mistakenly
called "self-calibration", nor with verification of calibration.
Note 3 to entry: Often, the first step alone in the above definition is perceived as being calibration.
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC Guide 99:2007, 2.39]
2 © ISO 2019 – All rights reserved

ISO 2808:2019(E)
3.12
verification
provision of objective evidence that a given item fulfils specified requirements
EXAMPLE 1 Confirmation that a given reference material as claimed is homogeneous for the quantity value
and measurement procedure concerned, down to a measurement portion having a mass of 10 mg.
EXAMPLE 2 Confirmation that performance properties or legal requirements of a measuring system are
achieved.
EXAMPLE 3 Confirmation that a target measurement uncertainty can be met.
Note 1 to entry: When applicable, measurement uncertainty should be taken into consideration.
Note 2 to entry: The item may be, e.g. a process, measurement procedure, material, compound, or measuring system.
Note 3 to entry: The specified requirements may be, e.g. that a manufacturer's specifications are met.
Note 4 to entry: Verification in legal metrology, as defined in VIML, and in conformity assessment in general,
pertains to the examination and marking and/or issuing of a verification certificate for a measuring system.
Note 5 to entry: Verification should not be confused with calibration. Not every verification is a validation.
Note 6 to entry: In chemistry, verification of the identity of the entity involved, or of activity, requires a description
of the structure or properties of that entity or activity.
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC Guide 99:2007, 2.44]
3.13
reference material
RM
material, sufficiently homogeneous and stable with reference to specified properties, which has been
established to be fit for its intended use in measurement or in examination of nominal properties
Note 1 to entry: Examination of a nominal property provides a nominal property value and associated
uncertainty. This uncertainty is not a measurement uncertainty.
Note 2 to entry: Reference materials with or without assigned quantity values can be used for measurement
precision control whereas only reference materials with assigned quantity values can be used for calibration or
measurement trueness control.
Note 3 to entry: "Reference material" comprises materials embodying quantities as well as nominal properties.
EXAMPLE 1 Examples of reference materials embodying quantities:
a) water of stated purity, the dynamic viscosity of which is used to calibrate viscometers;
b) human serum without an assigned quantity value for the amount-of-substance concentration of the inherent
cholesterol, used only as a measurement precision control material;
c) fish tissue containing a stated mass fraction of a dioxin, used as a calibrator.
EXAMPLE 2 Examples of reference materials embodying nominal properties:
a) colour chart indicating one or more specified colours;
b) DNA compound containing a specified nucleotide sequence;
c) urine containing 19-androstenedione.
Note 4 to entry: A reference material is sometimes incorporated into a specially fabricated device.
EXAMPLE 3 Substance of known triple-point in a triple-point cell.
EXAMPLE 4 Glass of known optical density in a transmission filter holder.
ISO 2808:2019(E)
EXAMPLE 5 Spheres of uniform size mounted on a microscope slide.
Note 5 to entry: Some reference materials have assigned quantity values that are metrologically traceable to a
measurement unit outside a system of units. Such materials include vaccines to which International Units (IU)
have been assigned by the World Health Organization.
Note 6 to entry: In a given measurement, a given reference material can only be used for either calibration or
quality assurance.
Note 7 to entry: The specifications of a reference material should include its material traceability, indicating its
origin and processing (Accred. Qual. Assur.:2006).
Note 8 to entry: ISO/REMCO has an analogous definition but uses the term "measurement process" to mean
"examination" (ISO 15189:2007, 3.4), which covers both measurement of a quantity and examination of a nominal
property.
Note 9 to entry: Reference materials may be coated thickness standards, or shims. If agreed to by the contracting
parties, a part of the test specimen may be used as a thickness standard for a particular job.
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC Guide 99:2007, 5.13, modified — Note 9 to entry has been added.]
3.14
adjustment
adjustment of a measuring system
set of operations carried out on a measuring system so that it provides prescribed indications
corresponding to given values of a quantity to be measured
Note 1 to entry: Types of adjustment of a measuring system include zero adjustment of a measuring system,
offset adjustment, and span adjustment (sometimes called gain adjustment).
Note 2 to entry: Adjustment of a measuring system should not be confused with calibration, which is a
prerequisite for adjustment.
Note 3 to entry: After an adjustment of a measuring system, the measuring system must usually be recalibrated.
Note 4 to entry: Most digital measurement instruments can be adjusted on a thickness standard or on a shim,
where the thickness of the coating or of the shim is known.
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC Guide 99:2007, 3.11, modified — Note 4 to entry has been added and “adjustment” is
used as the first preferred term.]
3.15
accuracy
measurement accuracy
accuracy of measurement
closeness of agreement between a measured quantity value and a true quantity value of a measurand
Note 1 to entry: The concept "measurement accuracy" is not a quantity and is not given a numerical quantity
value. A measurement is said to be more accurate when it offers a smaller measurement error.
Note 2 to entry: The term "measurement accuracy" should not be used for measurement trueness and the term
measurement precision should not be used for ‘measurement accuracy’, which, however, is related to both these
concepts.
Note 3 to entry: "Measurement accuracy" is sometimes understood as closeness of agreement between measured
quantity values that are being attributed to the measurand.
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC Guide 99:2007, 2.13, modified — “accuracy” is used as the preferred term.]
4 © ISO 2019 – All rights reserved

ISO 2808:2019(E)
4 Determination of wet-film thickness
4.1 General
Annex A gives an overview of the methods used for the determination of wet-film thickness.
4.2 Mechanical methods
4.2.1 Principle
With mechanical procedures, the measuring instrument (see Figures 1, 2 and 3, Key 4) passes through
by the coating being placed on the surface of the substrate. The difference between the points of
contact (substrate, see Figures 1, 2 and 3, Key 1) and the coating surface touched from the top of the
measurement instrument (Figures 1, 2 and 3, Key 3) corresponds to the readable wet-film thickness.
4.2.2 Field of application
The mechanical principle is suitable for all film-substrate combinations. The substrate has to be flat in
at least one direction in the area where the measurement is performed. Curvature of the surface in a
single plane is permissible (e.g. internal or external surface of pipes).
4.2.3 General
Classification as a destructive or non-destructive method depends on:
a) the rheological properties of the coating material;
b) the nature of the wetting contact between the contact surfaces of the measurement instrument and
the coating material;
c) whether the thickness measurements will make the coating unsuitable for the purpose for which it
is intended.
Since the possibility of pigment particles remaining between the gauge and the substrate cannot be
excluded, all mechanical methods contain a systematic error: the film thickness displayed is smaller
than the actual wet-film thickness by at least the mean diameter of the pigment particles.
In the case of a wheel gauge (method 1B, see 4.2.5), the wheel has to be wetted by the coating material.
If not, this represents a further source of systematic error which can result in exaggerated readings and
is a function of:
— the surface tension and the rheological properties of the coating material;
— the material of the wheel gauge;
— the speed at which the wheel is turned.
4.2.4 Method 1A — Comb gauge
4.2.4.1 Description of instrument
A comb gauge is a flat plate made of a corrosion-resistant material with teeth along its edges (see
Figure 1). The reference teeth at the corners of the plate define a baseline along which the inner teeth
are arranged to give a graduated series of gaps. Each tooth is labelled with the assigned gap value.
With commercially available comb gauges, the maximum thickness which can be measured is typically
2 000 µm and the smallest increment is typically 5 µm.
ISO 2808:2019(E)
Key
1 substrate
2 coating
3 point of wetting contact
4 comb gauge
Figure 1 — Example of a comb gauge
4.2.4.2 Procedure
Ensure that the teeth are clean and not worn out or damaged. Place the comb gauge onto the flat
specimen surface such that the teeth are normal to the plane of the surface. Allow sufficient time for the
coating to wet the teeth prior to removing the gauge.
In the case of specimens curved in a single plane, the comb gauge shall be placed in position parallel to
the axis of curvature.
The thickness shall be measured directly after application since the result will be influenced, for
example, by physical drying, curing or solvent loss.
Take the greatest gap reading of the tooth wetted by the coating material as the wet-film thickness.
4.2.5 Method 1B — Wheel gauge
4.2.5.1 Description of instrument
A wheel gauge consists of a wheel, made of hardened and corrosion-resistant steel, with three projecting
rims (see Figure 2).
Two rims are ground to the same diameter and are configured concentrically to the wheel axle. The
third rim has a smaller diameter and is eccentrically ground. One of the outer rims has a scale from
which the respective protrusion of the concentric rims relative to the eccentric rim can be read.
Two versions are available:
— version 1 has the eccentric rim located between the concentric rims;
— version 2 has the eccentric rim located systematically outside the concentric rims and closely
adjacent to one of them.
NOTE Unlike version 1, the design of version 2 allows parallax-free reading of the wet-film thickness.
6 © ISO 2019 – All rights reserved

ISO 2808:2019(E)
With commercially available wheel gauges, the maximum thickness which can be measured is typically
1 500 µm and the smallest increment is typically 2 µm.
Key
1 substrate
2 coating
3 eccentric rim
4 wheel gauge
Figure 2 — Example of a wheel gauge
4.2.5.2 Procedure
Grip the wheel gauge with the thumb and index finger by the wheel axle and press the concentric rims
onto the surface at the point of the largest reading on the scale.
In the case of specimens curved in a single plane, the axis of curvature and the wheel gauge axle shall
be parallel.
Roll the wheel gauge in one direction, lift it from the surface and read off the highest scale reading at
which the eccentric rim is still wetted by the coating material. Clean the gauge and repeat in the other
direction.
Calculate the wet-film thickness as the arithmetic mean of these readings.
The thickness shall be measured directly after application since the result will be influenced, for
example, by physical drying, curing or solvent loss.
To minimize the effect of surface tension on the result, observe how the paint wets the eccentric rim
and record the scale reading at the first point of contact. This is only possible with version 2 of the
wheel gauge.
4.2.6 Method 1C — Dial gauge
4.2.6.1 Instrument and reference materials (reference standard)
4.2.6.1.1 Dial gauge [see Figure 3 a) and b)]
Analogue dial gauges conforming to the requirements of ISO 463 and digital dial gauges are typically
capable of measuring to an accuracy of 5 µm (analogue dial gauge) or 1 µm (digital dial gauge), or better.
The gauge can have an analogue or digital display.
ISO 2808:2019(E)
The underside of the dial gauge has two contact pins of equal length located equidistant from the
movable plunger and in a straight line with it. An adjusting screw is used to make careful adjustments
to the position of the plunger in its guideway.
a)  Example of an analogue dial gauge
b)  Example of a digital dial gauge
Key
1 substrate
2 coating
3 plunger
Figure 3 — Examples of an analogue and a digital dial gauge
4.2.6.1.2 Reference material for zeroing the gauge
A flat reference plate is required for zeroing the gauge. The reference plate shall be a polished glass plate.
4.2.6.2 Procedure
Zero the dial gauge on the reference plate with the measuring tip adjusted so that it is just touching
the plate.
Screw the plunger back from t
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