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Industrial Microscopes

Solutions for Surface Coatings and Thin Film Deposits (Coating Industries)

Solutions for Surface Coatings and Thin Film Deposits (Coating Industries)

Solutions for Surface Coatings and Thin Film Deposits (Coating Industries)

More information is available on the application notes pages

Surface coatings are any mixture of film-forming materials that contain pigments, solvents, and other additives, which, when applied to a surface and cured or dried, yields a thin film that is functional and often decorative. Surface coatings include paints, drying oils and varnishes, synthetic clear coatings, and other products whose primary function is to protect the surface of an object from the environment. These products can also enhance the aesthetic appeal of an object by accentuating its surface features or concealing blemishes.


Thin Coating Thickness Evaluation (Calotest Method)

Coating thickness solution (Printed thin coating on metal substrate obtained with Calotest method)

Coating thickness solution (Printed thin coating on metal substrate obtained with Calotest method)

This solution enables the measurement of coating thickness from top view images using the Calotest method. With the Calotest method, a grinding sphere wears a tiny crater through the coating. The software uses the sphere and sample geometry to calculate the coating thickness.

Key features
  • Guides the user through a selection of shapes and print morphologies
  • Measurements are easy to perform
  • Complies with international standards
Typical applications
  • CVD, PVD, plasma spray coatings
  • Anodic oxidation layers
  • Surfaces treated by ion sputtering or ion plating
  • Chemical and galvanic deposits
  • Polymers, paints, and lacquers
Associated functions
  • Various image filters

Layer Thickness Measurement

Layer thickness solution (Cross section of paint and primer lacquer on steel)

Layer thickness solution (Cross section of paint and primer lacquer on steel)

Measures layer thicknesses either perpendicular to neutral fibers, via the shortest distance or with a new parallel method. Users can now measure layers with even or uneven boundaries. Key features Layer thickness measurement software calculates mean, maximum, and minimum values as well as statistical data for each individual layer. Layer boundaries can be specified using automatic detection, magic wand, or manual mode.Individual measurements can be added or deleted later.
Key features
  • Select different phases using automatic, magic wand, and manual measurement modes.
  • Automatic layer measurement is performed using the neutral fiber as reference layer
  • Flexible selection of multiple points or inter-distance
Typical applications
  • CVD, PVD, plasma spray coatings
  • Anodic oxidation layers
  • Chemical and galvanic deposits
  • Polymers, paints, and lacquers
Associated functions
  • EFI and MIA

Pore Fraction and Density Measurement

Porosity solution (Cross section of carbide coating in thermal deposition processing)

Porosity solution (Cross section of carbide coating in thermal deposition processing)

The Porosity solution in OLYMPUS Stream includes a tool for measuring the area fraction and number of pores on cross-sectional surfaces and coatings. The software uses the threshold method to differentiate between the pores and the substrate on color or gray level images. Pore density and the size of the largest pore is calculated for every selected Region of Interest and on the whole image.

Key features
  • Several thresholding techniques available
  • A size limit per pore can be fixed
  • Measurement per ROI is available

Typical applications

  • Voids in chemical materials
  • Level of porosity in foam
Associated functions
  • MIA and EFI

Other Recommended Solutions

  • Count and Measure
  • Particle Distribution
  • Extended Phase Analysis

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