Coating Thickness Analysis

Industries Where Coating Thickness Measurement Is Essential

XRF-based coating thickness measurement provides precise elemental data for coatings, making it indispensable in:

• Light and heavy manufacturing for production quality control
• Metallurgy for metal and alloy verification and sorting
• Paint and coatings industry for detecting lead or other restricted elements
• Jewelry production to identify plating (e.g., gold over base metals)

Thickness measurement is especially critical in high-stakes fields like aerospace, where coatings must meet exact specifications for performance and safety.

Common Types of Coatings

• Zinc on iron/steel
• Chrome on iron/steel
• Nickel on iron/steel
• Copper on iron/steel
• Gold on copper
• Copper on aluminum
• Molybdenum on titanium
• Nickel on copper
• And virtually any metal coating over any base material

How XRF Measures Coating Thickness

An XRF analyzer emits X-rays that ionize atoms in the coating and substrate. When an inner-shell electron is ejected, an outer electron fills the vacancy, emitting characteristic fluorescent X-rays. The analyzer detects this radiation, generates a spectrum, and — based on the main element of the coating — calculates thickness. It works reliably for single-layer coatings regardless of the object's shape or surface condition.

Benefits of XRF for Coating Thickness Measurement

• Completely non-destructive — no cutting, scraping, or damage to the sample
• Versatile and portable — handles objects of various sizes and geometries
• Fast results with good accuracy, often in seconds
• Safe for operators — low, directed radiation exposure
• No production stoppages — ideal for in-line or field testing

Handheld XRF Analyzers for Coating Analysis

Handheld XRF devices are compact (similar in size to a drill) and highly mobile, allowing measurements in hard-to-reach areas without moving or disassembling parts. They require no pre-calibration for most applications and work universally across a wide range of materials and surfaces. Compared to other handheld methods (laser or optical), XRF offers a larger measurement area, higher accuracy, and broader material compatibility.

These tools provide quick, cost-effective, and reliable coating thickness and composition analysis both in the field and in the lab.