Surface Profile Roughness

Surface Profile Roughness

Surface profile Roughness gauge is a type of profile gauge that measures the surface roughness of an object. Usually to facilitate substrate preparation and the application of a protective coating. This tool records the roughness or cross-sectional shape that may be observing on a surface.

The surface profile gauge consists of a set of steel or plastic pins that are set tightly against one another in a frame. That keeps them on the same plane while allowing them to move independently and perpendicular to the frame. When the pins are presses against an object, they conform to the topography of the object’s surface. By looking at the gauge, the technician can determine the height or depth of surface irregularities. The gauge can also be use to draw the profile on another surface.

What is Surface profile roughness ?

Surface profile, also addressed as surface roughness is another parameter that plays an important role in the surface prep process. Besides clean surface a certain roughness requires to assure proper adhesion of the paint or coating to the surface.

By creating a rough surface with “peaks and valleys” one is more or less increasing the total surface area thus creating a larger bonding area for the paint to stick. Paint specifications often require a certain surface roughness or anchor profile. In order to guarantee the performance of coating system. A surface roughness which is too low may cause adhesion problems. However a surface roughness which is too coarse could effect that the primer coating is not covering the “peaks” of the anchor pattern which may lead to premature corrosion or other problems with the intermediate or top coat. A coarse surface also leads to an increase of the paint consumption.

How to measure surface Roughness

A clean and well preparation surface is crucial for a successful coating performance. The pre-treatment process of an industrial coating job often consumes more time and budget than the actual paint application itself. Surface preparation There are various methods and systems to prepare a surface prior to the coating application. Depending on the project and job specifications.

Creating a specified surface roughness is not an easy job. The profile is determined by the size, type and hardiness of the abrasive being uses, the air pressure, and by the distance and also angle of the nozzle to the surface.
PT. CUANLI provides variety of surface roughness measure tools:

Hull Roughness Gauge
Surface Profiles Comparator & RugoTest
Surface Profile Gauge (SPG)
Replica Tape Reader & Replica Tape Reader 3D
Testex Tape Press-O-Film