Change in quality inspection
While 20 years ago users/producers were seemingly free to assess significant properties on the basis of simple judgement based on experience, today the overwhelming majority is interested in clear and controlled processes. Whereas this was generally applied for a long time already for processes in the industrially automated coating technology and production engineering for a long time already, today more and more smaller companies are specifically involved in the topic "quality management". This regards sub-contractors for the automotive industries as well as manufacturers of articles of daily use in general – independently of the size of the company. Thus, today, besides the clearly defined processes/operation sequences, also the necessity of testing has got an increasing importance compared with the situation some years ago.
New requirements for layer thickness, adhesion and gloss
To the traditional measured parameters in coating technology, namely “film thickness”, “adhesion” and “gloss”, testing of the resistance of the coated surface to mechanical damage, namely the measurement of scratch or graze resistance and abrasion resistance have become essential for many applications. Since test methods and test equipment development has kept pace with the demand for higher levels of quality assurance, various possibilities tailored to suit the need of interested users are available to enable the customers to comply with the test requirements of nearly every product.
ERICHSEN as a partner for precise surface inspections
ERICHSEN specializes, among other things, in the demand-oriented testing of high-quality surfaces. As a partner to both users and research, and through long-standing collaboration with standard-relevant committees, we have established a program of testing equipment that allows the precise and convenient determination of quality-related properties of many products over the years.
Formability
The formability of this first coating depends on good adhesion as well as adequate elasticity. These properties can be tested in the laboratory and monitored alongside production under standardised conditions using ERICHSEN Sheet Metal Testing machines.
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Viscosity, Density and Consistency
Both in the production and for the subsequent usage (application) of coating materials the viscosity is almost always of vital importance. Viscosity is generally measured both on raw materials and on finished products when the materials are received and is measured again as necessary before, during and after the different manufacturing processes. At the final inspection stage for quality, establishing that the laid down values have been maintained gives an important guide that the coating is to specification. Generally, to enable the coating material to be applied properly it must be of the correct viscosity.
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Film Application and Coating Thickness
For testing paints and coatings, sample panels with a defined layer thickness are required. The most common method for creating such samples is film application either by hand or with electric motor-driven film applicators. ERICHSEN's devices are known for their precision, ease of use, and practical design. The optimal layer thickness is crucial to fully achieve the desired properties of the coatings; too thin layers often fail to meet this goal. With ERICHSEN's layer thickness measuring devices, quality standards can be met and costs optimized.
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Adhesion, Impact and Elasticity Testing
The adhesive strength of a coating material is crucial to ensure its protective and decorative functions. Particularly in protective applications, the coating must withstand mechanical influences. Impact resistance describes its ability to resist localized kinetic energy without cracking or losing adhesion. A coating should be as elastic as possible to adapt to the deformations of the substrate, whether through manual or mechanical processes or temperature-induced expansion. This way, adhesion remains stable and reliable even with changes in shape.
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Hardness, Abrasion and Washability Testing
Within the context of coatings, the term "hardness" typically refers to the scratch and abrasion resistance of coating materials. Although this assignment is not exactly physical, it is widely recognized across industries and describes the coating's ability to withstand mechanical influences without leaving visible marks. Our testing devices for evaluating washability, abrasion resistance, and cleaning effectiveness offer various adjustable parameters for specific tests, such as the effectiveness of cleaning agents. This ensures that your coatings can withstand high demands in use.
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Gloss, Colour, Brightness, Surface Testing
The gloss of a surface is perceived through its light reflection, with the impression varying depending on the viewing angle. To determine the gloss level, the reflected light is measured at different angles to objectively categorize it as "high gloss," "medium gloss," or "matte gloss" and express it numerically. Since color and brightness are perceived subjectively and can be difficult to communicate, modern color measurement enables precise capture of color data for control and formulation. Since gloss can affect the color perception, simultaneous measurement of gloss and brightness is often useful.
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Roller Application Units
The final testing of printing inks requires their realistic application, ideally under all conditions that will be relevant later in the printing press. A trial print on a large printing machine is complex and consequently expensive. However, both during development and later in the so-called "pre-press stage," corresponding test prints are indispensable. Therefore, test prints are typically performed on a laboratory scale, using appropriately small machines that operate according to the same procedures.
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Grain Size, Hiding power and Drying
In the production of pigmented or powder-based coating materials, achieving a fine distribution of particles is crucial to ensure a smooth, agglomerate-free film surface. Since pigments represent a significant cost factor, the formulation contains only as much pigment as necessary to achieve the desired opacity. The drying characteristics of a coating are also crucial, whether applied manually or automatically. Coatings with volatile components typically dry from the outside to the inside, and different degrees of drying describe the progress of the process.
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