Endorsed by American

Designation: B 244 – 09 Electroplaters’ Society

Endorsed by National
Association of Metal Finishers

Standard Test Method for

Measurement of Thickness of Anodic Coatings on
Aluminum and of Other Nonconductive Coatings on
Nonmagnetic Basis Metals with Eddy-Current Instruments1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B 244; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.

1. Scope* 3.1.2 adjustment, n—the physical act of aligning a instru-

1.1 This test method covers the use of eddy-current instru- ment’s thickness readings to match those of a known thickness
ments for the nondestructive measurement of the thickness of sample (removal of bias), in order to improve the accuracy of
a nonconductive coating on a nonmagnetic basis metal. It is the instrument on a specific surface or within a specific portion
intended to supplement manufacturers’ instructions for the of its measurement range. An adjustment will affect the
operation of the instruments and is not intended to replace outcome of subsequent readings.
them. 3.1.3 calibration, n—the high-level, controlled and docu-
1.2 This test method is particularly useful for measuring the mented process of obtaining measurements on traceable cali-
thickness of an anodic coating on aluminum alloys. Chemical bration standards over the full operating range of the instru-
conversion coatings are too thin to be measured by this test ment, then making the necessary instrument adjustments (as
method. required) to correct any out-of-tolerance conditions.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the 3.1.3.1 Discussion—Calibration of coating thickness instru-
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information ments is performed by the equipment manufacturer, an autho-
only. rized agent, or by an authorized, trained calibration laboratory
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the in a controlled environment using a documented process. The
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the outcome of the calibration process is to restore/realign the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- instrument to meet/exceed the manufacturer’s stated accuracy.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- 3.1.4 reference standard, n—a specimen of known thick-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. ness used to verify the accuracy of a coating thickness
measuring instrument.
2. Referenced Documents 3.1.5 verification of accuracy, n—obtaining measurements
2.1 ASTM Standards:2 on a reference standard prior to instrument use for the purpose
B 499 Test Method for Measurement of Coating Thick- of determining the ability of the coating thickness instrument to
nesses by the Magnetic Method: Nonmagnetic Coatings on produce reliable values, compared to the combined instrument
Magnetic Basis Metals manufacturer’s stated accuracy and the stated accuracy of the
reference standard.
3. Terminology
4. Summary of Test Method
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.1.1 accuracy, n—the measure of the magnitude of error 4.1 Instruments complying with this test method measure
between the result of a measurement and the true thickness of coating thickness by the use of eddy currents. A probe is placed
the item being measured. directly on the coated surface in a perpendicular position and
electronic circuitry is used to convert a reference signal into a
coating thickness measurement.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B08 on Metallic 4.2 The instrument probe coil is energized by alternating
and Inorganic Coatings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B08.10 on
Test Methods. current that induces eddy currents in the metal substrate. The
Current edition approved April 15, 2009. Published May 2009. Originally eddy currents in turn create a secondary magnetic field within
approved in 1949. Last previous edition approved in 2002 as B 244 – 97 (2002).
2
the substrate. The characteristics of this secondary field are
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
dependent upon the distance between the probe and the basis
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on metal. This distance (gap) is measured by the instrument probe
the ASTM website.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

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 B 244 – 09
and shown on the instrument display as the thickness (microns surement requirement. Standards suitable for many applica-
or mils) of the intervening coating. tions of the test method are commercially available and may be
used provided the certified values are traceable to a National
5. Significance and Use Metrology Institution.
5.1 The thickness of a coating is often critical to its 7.5 The basis metal thickness for the test and the calibration
performance. This eddy-current method is nondestructive and adjustment shall be the same if the critical thickness, defined in
is suitable for measuring the thickness of anodic coatings on 8.3, is not exceeded. When possible, back up the basis metal of
aluminum, as well as the thickness of most nonconductive the standard or of the test specimen with a sufficient thickness
coatings on nonmagnetic basis metals. of similar material to make the readings independent of the
5.2 This test method requires that the conductivity of the basis metal thickness. A way to determine if the basis metal
substrate be the same in the reference standard used for thickness exceeds the critical thickness is to make measure-
calibration adjustment and in the coated article to be measured. ments before and after backing up the basis metal with similar
metal at least 3 mm (120 mils) thick. If there is no difference
6. Apparatus between the readings, the critical thickness is exceeded.
7.6 If the test specimen is soft and thin, it is subject to
6.1 Coating Thickness Instrument, based on eddy current
indentation by the probe. Because of this, and despite the use
principles, commercially available, suitable to measure coating
of special probes or fixtures, measurements on such specimens
thickness accurately.
are sometimes impossible to make.
6.2 Coating Thickness Standards, with assigned values
7.7 If the curvature of the test specimen to be measured is
traceable to a National Metrology Institution. They may be
such as to preclude calibration adjustment on a flat surface, the
coated aluminum plates, or may be foils or shims of flat,
curvature of the coated standard or of the substrate on which
non-metallic sheet (typically polyester).
the foil is placed shall be the same as that of the test specimen.
7. Calibration and Standardization 8. Factors Affecting the Measuring Accuracy
7.1 Calibration of coating thickness instruments is per- 8.1 Inherent in the test method is a measuring uncertainty
formed by the equipment manufacturer, an authorized agent, or that, for thin coatings, is constant and independent of the
by an authorized, trained calibration laboratory in a controlled coating thickness, and, for a single measurement, not less than
environment using a documented process. A Certificate of 0.5 µm (0.02 mil); for thicknesses greater than about 25 µm (1
Calibration showing traceability to a National Metrology mil), this uncertainty is proportional to the coating thickness.
Institution can be issued. There is no standard time interval for 8.2 Electrical Properties of the Basis Metal—Eddy-current
re-calibration, nor is one absolutely required, but a calibration measurements are affected by the electrical conductivity of the
interval can be established based on experience and the work basis metal, which itself is often affected by heat treatments.
environment. A one-year calibration interval is a typical 8.3 Basis-Metal Thickness—For each measurement, there is
frequency suggested by many instrument manufacturers. a critical thickness of the basis metal above which the
7.2 Before use, each instrument’s calibration accuracy shall measurements will not be affected by an increase in that
be verified in accordance with the instructions of the manufac- thickness. Its value should be determined experimentally, if not
turer, employing suitable thickness standards and, if necessary, supplied by the manufacturer of the measuring instrument,
any deficiencies found shall be corrected. since it depends on both the measuring frequency of the probe
7.3 During use, calibration accuracy shall be verified at system and the electrical conductivity of the basis metal.
frequent intervals, at least once a day. Attention shall be given 8.3.1 General Rule—For a given measuring frequency, the
to the factors listed in Section 8 and to the procedures higher the conductivity of the basis metal, the smaller its
described in Section 9. critical thickness. For a given basis metal, the higher the
7.4 Coating thickness standards of known thickness are measuring frequency, the smaller the critical thickness of the
available either as shims or foils or as coated specimens. basis metal.
7.4.1 Foils: 8.4 Edge Effect—This test method is sensitive to abrupt
7.4.1.1 Foils used for accuracy verification and adjustment changes in the surface contour of the test specimen. Therefore,
of eddy-current instruments are generally made of plastic. measurements made too near an edge or inside corner will not
They are advantageous for adjustments on curved surfaces, and be valid unless the instrument is specifically adjusted for such
are more readily available than coated standards. a measurement.
7.4.1.2 To prevent measurement errors, it is necessary to 8.5 Curvature—Measurements are affected by the curvature
ensure that intimate contact is established between foil and of the test specimen. The influence of curvature varies consid-
substrate. Resilient foils should be avoided if possible. Foils erably with the make and type of instrument, but always
are subject to indentation and should, therefore, be replaced becomes more pronounced as the radius of curvature de-
frequently. creases.
7.4.2 Coated Standards—These calibration standards con- 8.6 Surface Roughness:
sist of nonconductive coatings of known, uniform thickness 8.6.1 1 Measurements are influenced by the surface topog-
permanently bonded to the substrate material. raphy of the substrate and the coating, and a rough surface will
7.4.3 The coating thickness of the standards used shall give individual instrument readings that will vary from point to
bracket the user’s highest and lowest coating thickness mea- point. In this case, it is necessary to make many readings at

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 B 244 – 09
different positions to obtain an average value that is represen- 9.4.2 Edge Effects—Do not make readings close to an edge,
tative of the mean coating thickness. If the basis metal is rough hole, inside corner, etc., of a specimen, unless the validity of
it may also be necessary to check, and adjust if necessary, the the calibration adjustment for such a measurement has been
zero of the instrument at several positions on a sample of the demonstrated.
uncoated rough substrate. If the roughness of the substrate 9.4.3 Curvature—Do not make readings on a curved surface
surface is small, relative to the coating thickness, its effect will of a specimen unless the validity of the calibration adjustment
probably be negligible. for such a measurement has been demonstrated.
8.6.2 If the basis metal is rough it may also be necessary to 9.4.4 Number of Readings—Because of normal instrument
check, and adjust if necessary, the zero of the instrument at variability, it is necessary to make several readings at each
several positions on a sample of the uncoated rough substrate. position. Local variations in coating thickness may also require
If the roughness of the substrate surface is small, relative to the that a number of measurements be made in any given area; this
coating thickness, its effect will probably be negligible. applies particularly to a rough surface (see 8.9).
8.7 Foreign Particles—The probes of eddy-current instru- 9.4.5 Surface Cleanliness—Before making measurements,
ments must make physical contact with the test surface and are, clean any foreign matter such as dirt, grease, and corrosion
therefore, sensitive to foreign material that prevents intimate products from the surface without removing any coating
contact between the probe and the coating surface. Both the material.
test surface and instrument probe should be kept free of foreign
10. Accuracy
material.
8.8 Pressure—The pressure with which the probe is applied 10.1 The instrument, its calibration, and its operation shall
to the test specimen affects the instrument readings, and be such that the coating thickness can be determined within
should, therefore, be kept constant. 10 % or 1 µm, whichever is greater, of the true thickness.
8.9 Number of Readings—The precision of the measure- 11. Report
ments can be improved by increasing the number of readings in
accordance with statistical principles. 11.1 The report shall include the following information:
11.1.1 Type of instrument used including manufacturer,
model number, principle of operation, and date of calibration,
9. Procedure
11.1.2 Size and description of test specimen,
9.1 Operate each instrument in accordance with the instruc- 11.1.3 Whether special jigs were used,
tions of the manufacturer. Give appropriate attention to the 11.1.4 Type of coating thickness standard and/or reference
factors listed in Section 8. standard and the method used for accuracy verification and any
9.2 Verify the accuracy of the instrument at the test site each calibration adjustment
time the instrument is put into service and at frequent intervals 11.1.5 The number of measurements taken and the value of
during use to assure proper performance. each measurement,
9.3 Many instruments can be adjusted in order to improve 11.1.6 Operator identification, and
their accuracy on a specific surface or within a specific portion 11.1.7 Date.
of its measurement range. The effects of properties of the
substrate (composition, shape, roughness, edge effects, electri- NOTE 1—Although, theoretically, this test method can be used for
measuring nonconductive coatings on a magnetic basis metal, its use for
cal properties) and coating (composition, mass, surface rough-
coatings below 25 µm (1 mil) is not recommended, and the magnetic
ness), as well as ambient and surface temperatures, may require method outlined in Test Method B 499 shall be used.
adjustments to be made to the instrument. Follow the manu-
facturer’s instructions. 12. Precision and Bias
9.4 Observe the following precautions: 12.1 The precision of this test method is being determined.
9.4.1 Basis Metal Thickness—Check whether the basis
metal thickness exceeds the critical thickness. If not, either use 13. Keywords
the back-up method in 7.5, or make sure that the calibration 13.1 coating thickness; coatings; eddy current; nonconduc-
adjustment has been made on a reference standard having the tive coatings; thickness; thickness testing; nondestructive
same thickness and electrical properties as the test specimen. thickness; anodic coatings

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 B 244 – 09
SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Committee B8 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue
(B244–97(2002)) that may impact the use of this standard.

(1) Added Sections 3 and 4 and renumbered subsequent (3) Made editorial changes throughout the document.
sections.
(2) Defined measurement terms calibration, verification and
adjustment.

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