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In order to control the process variables when applying a coating to a surface, it is often desirable that measurements are made to determine thickness while the coating is still wet. Wet film measurement is done by devices based upon the shape of the surface area, and the expected range of thickness. In addition, wet film measurements are also very useful for coating systems where the dry film thickness can only be measured destructively. Dry Film Thickness Measuring coating thickness accurately maximizes quality and minimizes material costs. Dry film checking can be carried out non-destructively or destructively, for e.g. multi-layer applications.

Hardness The definition of hardness has, in the past, caused misunderstandings within the paint industry. Most coatings are viscoelastic, and hence will indent to some extent. DIN 55 945 defines hardness as follows: Hardness is the resistance of a coating to a mechanical force, such as pressure, rubbing or scratching. In practice, different testing methods are used: Pendulum Hardness – In accordance with methods described by König and Persoz Indentation Hardness – Buchholz Indentation Testers Scratch Hardness – Hardness Meter Dur-O-Test – Pencil Hardness For clear communication of test results, the technician needs to document the type of test method used, for example, “Indentation Resistance in accordance with ISO 2815“ or “Damping Time in accordance with ISO 1522“.

A significant improvement in the recording of oven processes has been made with the temp-gard. This measurement system stores the analog signals of temperature probes in digital form. A measurement module accompanies the object on its way through the oven without needing a trailing cable. The recording module is protected by a thermal barrier made of stainless steel with absolutely temperature safe insulation. The digital data is transferred to a computer for further processing. Each measurement is saved as a file. The temp-gard system controls the curing process and immediately evaluates the results. Within a few minutes all important information is available on the screen and can be printed out: – The measurement points of the object – Date and time of the measurement – Name of the operator and identification of the oven – Temperatures in °F or °C – 4-color graphic of the entire measurement curve with display of temperature and time The peak temperature and a warning message occur when the maximum temperature of a probe is above the control value. It is possible to quickly and regularly check and document the quality of daily production. In addition, this temperature measurement system allows control of oven performance without risking loss of quality.

BYK-Gardner offers a wide range of drawdown cards and charts for virtually any application and coating material. Stringent quality control during the production process assures that they have the most consistent color and gloss in the industry. Test charts are easy to use and an inexpensive substrate to test a variety of coating properties, such as opacity, spreading rate, penetration behavior, and flow & leveling behavior. They are used for testing architectural, industrial, automotive, wood finishes or even cosmetic products (e.g. nail polish). Depending on the material properties of the product to be tested and its usage different types of drawdown cards are available.

Balances are one of the most universal laboratory instruments used in virtually every lab in the world today. BYK-Gardner offers the Sartorius balances to further enhance our ability to provide a "total solution" for the coatings and plastic laboratory market. These balances will meet the needs of virtually any lab, from routine QC checks to sophisticated R&D tasks. The Sartorius brand provides world class performance with a durable, rugged design. BYK-Gardner offers two Sartorius balances series. The Entris Series that are affordable analytical and toploading balances. The Quintix Series incorporates the latest features of balance design. The product offering includes analytical balances for the most critical weighting tasks and the easy to use toploading design. When selecting a balance the capacity and the readability are the two most important specifications. The capacity is the maximum limit of the balance. The readability is the minimum unit value that can be displayed. The pan size is another feature that should be considered.

An electronic image available on a personal computer has opened new opportunities to evaluate surface quality and document results. Many physical property tests are evaluated by visual analysis: cross-cut adhesion, impact resistance, flexibility, abrasion resistance, and scratchmar. An electronic image can be used to provide a more comprehensive evaluation and documentation of the test results. A digital microscope combined with image analysis software has created a new line of analytical tools to assess appearance. The Print and Paper Industry has developed several tests to maintain product quality. Assessment of the printing process and the paper’s appearance has well defined measurement parameters. Digital microscopes offer a comprehensive analytical analysis for an objective evaluation. Traditional Microscope BYK-Gardner offers two microscope designs specific for physical property testing. The microscope for the Automated Cupping Tester has a unique design that attaches to the Cupping Tester. The microscope provides a detailed observation of the test panel. The Buchholz Indentation hardness tester also requires a specific microscope design to measure the indentation length. The microscope incorporates a graduated scale for a precise assessment.