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COATING APPLICATION WET FILM THICKNESS Posted by Chad Quatman - September 1, 2017

Calculating and Measuring Wet Film Thickness

Wet lm thickness, or WFT is the measured thickness of any applied wet paint that is liquid-based.  A wet lm thickness gage should be
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used by the applicator as the coating is being applied to ensure that the measurement is representative of the calculated wet lm
Common Causes o
before signi cant solvent evaporation occurs. Even slight delays in taking wet lm thickness measurements can result in false low Bubbling in Indus
readings, since the solvents may have evaporated from the lm before the measurements are acquired, which is why a WFT gage is Posted by Jim M
2016
largely regarded as an applicators tool rather than an inspector gage.
Measuring Dry Fil
Why is WFT important? Measuring the WFT of a coating enables the applicator to adjust the spray gun speed, number of spray passes According to SSPC
and to make spray gun adjustments (when possible) or select other spray tips to apply the correct amount of coating to achieve the Posted by Bill Co
speci ed dry lm thickness. 2013

Tools and Techniq

What is the relationship between WFT and production? Time is money. The need to apply a build-up coat or even worse the need Coating Quality- P
to reduce thickness (by sanding) can impede production and reduce pro tability. While under-thickness can frequently be corrected by Painting

adding more coating, excessive thickness can cause solvent entrapment, runs and sags and, if uncorrected can lead to adhesion Posted by Ken T
2015
problems. Each of these events can negatively impact a project schedule.  Perhaps more importantly, the performance properties of
most coatings are based on achieving the speci ed dry coating thickness, and applying the correct wet lm thickness can help to meet Painting Wet on W
[Exploring the My
this requirement. Measuring wet lm thickness during application immediately identi es the need for in-process adjustments by the
Posted by Carly
applicator. 2016

How is the WFT calculated?  The coating manufacturer may indicate the range of wet lm thickness to be applied to achieve the The Importance o
Abrasive Cleanlin
desired dry lm on the product data sheet (PDS). However, many manufacturers only list the recommended DFT since the amount of
Posted by John T
thinner that will be added by the contractor is unknown and that amount e ects the target WFT. Speci cations typically list the desired 2017
end-result (the DFT) and not the means/methods of achieving it (the WFT). The wet lm thickness target (or range) can be calculated.
The equations for calculating the WFT, both with and without thinner addition, are shown. The dry lm thickness range (per coat) is
extracted from the speci cation or the coating manufacturer’s PDS (whichever is the governing document) and the volume solids
content is listed on the PDS.

What are volume solids in paint? The volume solids content of a coating is an expression of the lm-forming ingredients, or the
material left behind after the solvents have evaporated from the applied coating. On a very basic level paint contains solvent, resin,
pigments, and additives. The volume solids content is the percentage of the formulation that is non-volatile and will remain on the
surface after the coating dries and cures. 

Without thinner:

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11/6/2018 Calculating and Measuring Wet FIlm Thickness | KTA UniversityKTA University
Example:

Speci ed Dry Film Thickness = 3 – 5 mils

Volume Solids Content = 65% (0.65)

WFT = 3 ÷ 0.65 = 4.6 mils; 5 ÷ 0.65 = 7.7 mils

Based on this example, provided the applicator applies between 5 and 8 mils WFT, the speci ed DFT of 3-5 mils should be achieved.

The equation for calculating the target WFT with thinner added in the shop or eld requires that the volume solids content of the 98
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coating (as manufactured) be adjusted based on the volume of thinner added, as a percentage of the total volume of coating.

With thinner: 98

WFT = DFT ÷ (Volume solids content ÷ 100% + % of thinner added)                                                    

Example:

Speci ed Dry Film Thickness = 3 – 5 mils

Volume Solids = 65%

Thinner by Volume = 20% (e.g. added 2 gallons of thinner to 10 gallons of mixed coating)

Step 1:   (0.65 ÷ 1.20)  = 0.54, or 54% adjusted volume solids based on 20% thinner addition

Step 2:   3 ÷ (0.54) = 5.6 mils             5 ÷ (0.54) = 9.3 mils

Based on this example, provided the applicator applies between 6 and 10 mils WFT, the speci ed DFT of 3-5 mils should be achieved,
even with 20% thinner, which is part of the wet lm but not the dry lm.

How is WFT measured? Wet lm thickness gages are used to monitor the thickness of the applied wet coating to achieve a speci ed
dry lm thickness. They measure all types of wet organic coatings, such as paint, varnish, and lacquer on at or curved, smooth
surfaces. The units of measure for these gages is typically micrometers (microns) or mils. Wet lm thickness is measured according to
ASTM D4414, Standard Practice for Measurement of Wet Film Thickness by Notch Gages. Pictures are gages commonly used to measure
WFT.    

How is a WFT gage used? Using a WFT gage is quite simple. First, verify that the notches (teeth) are clean and free of any dry paint.
Immediately insert the end of the gage perpendicularly into the wet coating. The two end teeth will penetrate down to contact the
underlying surface and will be wetted with coating. Withdraw the gage and read the highest wetted step. If none of the numbered
notches contain wet coating, rotate the head of the gage to a lower WFT range and remeasure. If all of the numbered notches contain
wet coating, rotate the head of the gage to a higher WFT range and remeasure. A diagram describing the proper use of a WFT gage is
shown. The teeth of the gauge must be wiped o after every individual reading.

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What units are used when measuring WFT? Typical units of measure are mils and microns. A mil is a unit of length equal to one
thousandth (10−3) of an inch (0.0254 millimeter).  A micron is a metric unit of measure for length equal to 0.001 mm, or about 0.000039
inch. Its symbol is µm. 25.4 microns is equal to 1 mil.

Conclusion: Calculating and properly measuring wet lm thickness can reduce rework, improve productivity, and help ensure a
properly applied coating. The proper use of a WFT gage by the applicator is critical to achieving the desired dry lm thickness.

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2 comments

Mahalingesh
August 8, 2018 at 1:45 pm - Reply

while measuring is there any impression mark spot will apear or not…if its apear again how can we paint..beacause
rstly that is wet component the impression make bad design on product..please answer me it is very essential to me….
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Jason Weslager
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