This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles

for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

Designation: E376 − 19

Standard Practice for

Measuring Coating Thickness by Magnetic-Field or Eddy
Current (Electromagnetic) Testing Methods1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E376; 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 U.S. Department of Defense.

1. Scope* 2. Referenced Documents

1.1 This practice covers the use of magnetic- and eddy 2.1 ASTM Standards:2
current-type thickness instruments (gauges) for nondestructive B244 Test Method for Measurement of Thickness of Anodic
thickness measurement of a coating on a metal (that is, Coatings on Aluminum and of Other Nonconductive
electrically conducting) substrate. The substrate may be ferrous Coatings on Nonmagnetic Basis Metals with Eddy-
or nonferrous. The coating or plating being measured may be Current Instruments
electrically conducting or insulating as well as ferrous or B499 Test Method for Measurement of Coating Thicknesses
non-ferrous. by the Magnetic Method: Nonmagnetic Coatings on
1.2 More specific uses of these instruments are covered by Magnetic Basis Metals
Practice D7091 and the following test methods issued by B530 Test Method for Measurement of Coating Thicknesses
ASTM: Test Methods B244, B499, and B530. by the Magnetic Method: Electrodeposited Nickel Coat-
ings on Magnetic and Nonmagnetic Substrates
1.3 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
D7091 Practice for Nondestructive Measurement of Dry
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
Film Thickness of Nonmagnetic Coatings Applied to
conversions to inch-pound units that are provided for informa-
tion only and are not considered standard. Ferrous Metals and Nonmagnetic, Nonconductive Coat-
ings Applied to Non-Ferrous Metals
1.4 Measurements made in accordance with this practice E543 Specification for Agencies Performing Nondestructive
will be in compliance with the requirements of ISO 2178 as Testing
printed in 1982. E1316 Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the 2.2 ASNT Standards:3
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the SNT-TC-1A Recommended Practice for Personnel Qualifi-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- cation and Certification in Nondestructive Testing
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter- ANSI/ASNT-CP-189 Standard for Qualification and Certifi-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. cation of NDT Personnel
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- 2.3 AIA Standard:4
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the NAS-410 Certification and Qualification of Nondestructive
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- Testing Personnel
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E07 on Nonde- the ASTM website.
3
structive Testing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E07.07 on Available from American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT), P.O. Box
Electromagnetic Method. 28518, 1711 Arlingate Ln., Columbus, OH 43228-0518, http://www.asnt.org.
4
Current edition approved May 1, 2019. Published June 2019. Originally Available from Aerospace Industries Association of America, Inc. (AIA), 1000
approved in 1989. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as E376 – 17. DOI: Wilson Blvd., Suite 1700, Arlington, VA 22209-3928, http://www.aia-aerospace.org.
10.1520/E0376-19. (Replacement standard for MIL-STD-410.)

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

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 E376 − 19
2.4 ISO Standards:5 ties of the basis metal. For practical purposes, magnetic
ISO 2178 Nonmagnetic Coatings on Magnetic Substrate— variations in low-carbon AISI 1005-1020 steels may be con-
Measurement of Coating Thickness—Magnetic Method sidered to be insignificant. To avoid the influences of severe or
ISO 9712 Non-destructive Testing—Qualification and Cer- localized heat treatments and cold working, the instrument
tification of NDT Personnel should be standardized using a reference standard having a
base metal with the same magnetic properties as that of the test
NOTE 1—See Appendix X1.
specimen or, preferably and if available, with a sample of the
3. Terminology part to be examined before application of the coating.
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms relating to this 5.3 Thickness of Substrate—For each method there is an
practice, refer to Terminology E1316. effective depth of penetration of field created by the instrument
probe. This is the critical depth or thickness beyond which the
4. Significance and Use instrument will no longer be affected by increase of substrate
4.1 General—Most thickness gauges are not applicable to thickness. Since it depends on the instrument probe and
all combinations of coating-substrate thicknesses and materi- substrate, it should be determined experimentally.
als. The limitations of a particular instrument are generally 5.4 Structure and Composition of Coating and Substrate—
delineated by its manufacturer. The substrate material and Eddy current instruments are sensitive to variations of
coating combination to be measured as well as the inherent structure, composition, and other factors affecting electrical
variations in the substrate and coating shall be reviewed prior conductivity and magnetic permeability of the coating and
to selecting the instrument to be used and the measurement substrate. For example, such instruments are sensitive to
accuracy required. differences between: (1) aluminum alloys, (2) chromium coat-
4.2 Magnetic—Magnetic-type gauges measure either mag- ings deposited at different temperatures, and (3) organic
netic attraction between a magnet and a coating or its substrate, coatings containing variable amounts of metallic pigments.
or reluctance of a magnetic flux path passing through the 5.5 Edge Effect—All examination methods are sensitive to
coating and substrate. These gauges are designed to measure abrupt surface changes of test specimens; therefore, measure-
thickness of a nonmagnetic coating on a magnetic substrate. ments made too near an edge or inside corner will not be valid
Some of them will also measure thickness of nickel coatings on unless the instrument is specifically standardized for such a
a magnetic or nonmagnetic substrate.6 measurement. The effect usually extends 3 to 13 mm (1⁄8 to
1⁄2 in.) from the discontinuity, depending on method probe
4.3 Eddy Current—Eddy current-type thickness gauges are
configuration, and instrument. Edge effect is usually a function
electronic instruments that measure variations in impedance of
of coil diameter.
an eddy current inducing coil caused by coating thickness
variations. They can only be used if the electrical conductivity 5.6 Curvature of Examination Surface—Thickness mea-
of the coating differs significantly from that of the substrate. surements are sensitive to curvature of the specimen. This
sensitivity varies considerably between instruments and be-
4.4 Accuracy—The accuracy of a measurement depends on
comes more pronounced with increasing curvature.
the instrument, the foils, its calibration and standardization,
and its operating conditions. The accuracy is also affected by 5.7 Smoothness of Surface, Including That of Base Metal—
the interferences listed in Section 5, such as part geometry Since a rough surface may make single measurements
(curvature), magnetic permeability, electrical conductivity, and inaccurate, a greater number of measurements will provide an
surface roughness. average value that is more truly representative of the overall
coating thickness. Roughness also may cause certain instru-
NOTE 2—This practice under ideal conditions may allow the coating ments to read high since their probes may rest on peaks.
thickness to be determined within 610 % of its true thickness or to within
62.5 µm (or 60.0001 in.), whichever is the greater. (See exceptions in 5.8 Direction of Rolling of Base Metal—Instruments with
Appendix X2.) two pole pieces may be sensitive to direction of rolling of the
base metal; that is, gauge readings may change depending on
5. Interferences alignment of pole pieces with surface of specimen or part under
5.1 Thickness of Coating—The precision of a measurement examination.
changes with coating thickness depending on method used and 5.9 Residual Magnetism in Base Metal—Residual magne-
instrument design. Generally, the precision is a percentage of tism in base metal may affect readings of magnetic- and eddy
the coating thickness except at the lower end of the ranges current-type instruments.
where it is a fixed thickness.
5.10 Stray Magnetic Fields—Strong magnetic fields, as
5.2 Magnetic Properties of Basis Metal—Magnetic thick- from arc welding, can seriously interfere with operations of
ness gauges are affected by variations of the magnetic proper- certain thickness gauges.
5.11 Cleanness of Probe and Test Surface—Measurements
5
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St., are sensitive to foreign material that prevents intimate contact
4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org. between probe and coating surface.
6
Autocatalytically deposited nickel-phosphorus alloys containing more than 8 %
phosphorus are sufficiently nonmagnetic to be measured by this method, as long as 5.12 Pressure of Probe—Instrument readings can be sensi-
the measurement is made prior to any heat treatment. tive to pressure with which probe is applied to test surface.
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 E376 − 19
5.13 Probe Position—Some magnetic-type gauges are sen- 6.9 Reexamination of Repaired/Reworked Items—
sitive to position of probe relative to the earth. For example, Reexamination of repaired/reworked items is not addressed in
operation of gauge in a horizontal or upside-down position may this standard and if required shall be specified in the contrac-
require a new standardization or may be impossible. tual agreement.
5.14 Temperature—Eddy current instruments may be af- 7. Calibration and Standardization
fected by temperature variations.
7.1 Each instrument should be calibrated in accordance with
6. Basis of Application the manufacturer’s instructions and standardized before use by
employing suitable thickness standards. Standardization should
6.1 The following items are subject to contractual agree- be checked at frequent intervals during use. Attention should
ment between the parties using or referencing this standard. be given to Section 5 and Section 8.
6.2 Personnel Qualification 7.2 Reference standards of uniform thickness are available
6.2.1 If specified in the contractual agreement, personnel in either of two types, foil or coated substrate, as supplied or
performing examinations to this standard shall be qualified in recommended by the manufacturer of the instrument. There are
accordance with a nationally or internationally recognized instances, however, where reference standards are made by
NDT personnel qualification practice or standard such as other than instrument manufacturers.
ANSI/ASNT-CP-189, SNT-TC-1A, NAS-410, ISO 9712, or a 7.2.1 Standardization Foils (Shims)—Standardization foil is
similar document and certified by the employer or certifying placed on the surface of uncoated base metal when standard-
agency, as applicable. The practice or standard used and its izing the instrument. Foils are advantageous for standardizing
applicable revision shall be identified in the contractual agree- on curved surfaces and are often more readily available than a
ment between the using parties. coated standard. To prevent measurement errors due to poor
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contact between foil and substrate, make sure of intimate

NOTE 3—Note that NAS-410 does not require personnel certification
when using direct read instruments. contact between them. Foils are subject to indentation and
should, therefore, be replaced when damaged.
6.2.2 Qualification and certification for personnel may be 7.2.1.1 Nonmagnetic foils may be used to standardize mag-
reduced when the following conditions are met: netic thickness gauges for measurement of nonmagnetic coat-
6.2.2.1 The examination will be limited to operating equip- ings. Nonconductive plastic foils can be used to standardize
ment that displays the results in thickness units. eddy current instruments for measurement of nonconductive
6.2.2.2 A specific procedure is used that is approved by a coatings.
certified Level III in accordance with 6.2.1. 7.2.1.2 Resilient foils should not be used if there is possi-
6.2.2.3 Documentation of training and examination is per- bility that the instrument probe will cause a change in thickness
formed to ensure that personnel are qualified. Qualified per- reading. Use of two or more foils on top of each other should
sonnel are those who have demonstrated, by passing written be avoided unless flexibility of thin foils is required for a
and practical proficiency tests, that they possess the skills and curved surface.
job knowledge necessary to ensure acceptable workmanship. 7.2.2 Coated reference standards consist of coatings of
6.3 Qualification of Nondestructive Testing Agencies—If known thickness permanently bonded to the substrate material.
specified in the contractual agreement, NDT agencies shall be 7.3 Thicknesses of reference standards should bracket and
qualified and evaluated as specified in Specification E543. The be as close as possible to the coating thickness being measured.
applicable edition of Specification E543 shall be specified in 7.4 For magnetic instruments, reference standards should
the contractual agreement. have the same magnetic properties as the coated specimen.
6.4 Procedures and Techniques—The procedures and tech- 7.5 For eddy current instruments, the reference standard
niques to be utilized shall be as specified in the contractual should have the same electrical and magnetic properties as
agreement. those of coated specimen being measured (see 5.4).
6.5 Surface Preparation—The pre-examination surface 7.6 To determine standardization validity, a reading on a
preparation criteria shall be in accordance with 5.11 and bare specimen identical in magnetic and electrical properties to
requirements specified in the contractual agreement. that of the test specimen substrate is recommended.
6.6 Timing of Examination—The timing of examination 7.7 If the coating process is changed, the standardization
shall be in accordance with the applicable contractual agree- may no longer be valid, especially for magnetic coatings and
ment. eddy current gauges (see 5.4).
6.7 Extent of Examination—The extent of examination shall 7.8 In some cases, standardization of instruments with
be in accordance with the applicable contractual agreement. two-pole probes should be checked with the poles rotated 0, 90,
6.8 Reporting Criteria/Acceptance Criteria—Reporting cri- 180, and 270° (see 5.8 and 5.9).
teria for the examination results shall be in accordance with 7.9 The substrate thickness for examination/measurement
Section 9 unless otherwise specified. Since acceptance criteria and standardization should be the same if the depth of
are not specified in this standard, they shall be specified in the penetration referred to in 5.3 is not exceeded. Very often it is
contractual agreement. possible to back up the substrates of standard and examination

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 E376 − 19
specimens with sufficient thickness of the same material (to employing a stationary magnetic field make measurements in
exceed the critical thickness) and make readings independent two orientations differing by 180°. With single-pole instru-
of substrate thickness.7 ments employing a stationary magnetic field, it may be
7.10 If the curvature of the coating to be measured is so necessary to demagnetize the specimen to get valid results, and
arched as to preclude standardization on a flat surface, then the this may also be advisable with two-pole instruments.
curvature of the coated standard or of the substrate on which 8.3.7 Cleaning of Surface—Foreign materials such as dirt,
the foil is placed should have the same contour. grease, and corrosion products should be removed by cleaning
without removing any coating material. Areas on specimens
7.11 The surface roughness and surface texture of the having visible contamination that are difficult to remove such
substrate standard should be similar to the surface of the test as flux, acid spots, dross, and oxide, should be avoided in
specimen or correction factors that account for the measure- making measurements.
ment offset created by the rough surface may be used. 8.3.8 Lead Coatings—The magnet of an instrument of the
8. Procedure attractive force type may stick to lead and lead alloy coatings.
Apply a very thin film of oil to improve the reproducibility of
8.1 Operate each instrument in accordance with the manu- readings and correct the measurement for the thickness of the
facturer’s instructions giving appropriate attention to factors oil film. Excess oil shall be wiped off so that the surface is
listed in Section 5. virtually dry. The correction may be determined by measuring
8.2 Check the instrument calibration at the site each time the the coating thickness of a nonsticking coating of appropriate
instrument is put into service and at frequent intervals during thickness with and without the oil film and taking the differ-
use to assure proper performance. ence between the two measurements. Do not use this procedure
8.3 Observe the following precautions: with other coatings.
8.3.1 Thickness of Substrate—When thickness of the sub- 8.3.9 Techniques—The readings obtained may depend on
strate is less than the critical thickness (see 5.3), and cannot be the operator technique. For example, the pressure applied to a
backed up by the same metal, measurements with eddy current probe, or the rate of applying a balancing force to a magnet,
gauges should not be made over metal surfaces, or other will vary from one individual to another. Reduce or minimize
electrically conducting materials. such effects either by having the instrument calibrated by the
8.3.1.1 With magnetic gauges the effective thickness of a same operator who will make the measurement or by using
flat substrate can be increased by placing it on a flat layer of constant pressure probes. In appropriate cases when a constant
material of the same magnetic properties. pressure probe is not being used, the use of a measuring stand
8.3.2 Edge Effects—Readings should not be made closer is strongly recommended.
than 13 mm (1⁄2 in.) from edges, holes, inside corners, etc., of 8.3.10 Position of Probe—In general, gently place the
a specimen unless validity of calibration for such a measure- instrument probe perpendicular to the specimen surface at the
ment has been demonstrated (see 7.5). point of measurement. For some instruments of the attractive
8.3.3 Curvature Effects—If the instrument has been stan- force type, this is essential. With some instruments, however, it
dardized with a specimen of similar curvature, measurement is desirable to tilt the probe slightly and select the angle of
and standardization should normally be made with the same inclination giving the minimum reading. If, on a smooth
probe orientation. surface, the readings obtained vary substantially with the angle
8.3.4 Number of Readings: of inclination, it is probable that the probe is worn and needs to
8.3.4.1 Because of normal instrument variability, it is nec- be replaced. If a magnetic instrument is to be used in a
essary to make several readings at each position. Local horizontal or upside-down position, calibrate it for that posi-
variations in coating thickness may also require that a number tion.
of measurements be made in any given area; this applies 9. Report
particularly to a rough surface.
8.3.4.2 Instruments of the attractive force type are sensitive 9.1 An examination report should contain the following
to vibrations, and readings that are obviously erroneous should information:
be rejected. 9.1.1 Date and name of operator.
8.3.5 Direction of Mechanical Working—If the direction of 9.1.2 Instrument and probe identification.
mechanical working has a pronounced effect on the reading, 9.1.3 Identification of components and indication whether
make the measurement on the specimen with the probe in the the examination was on a new component, component from
same orientation as that used during standardization. If this is service, or refurbished component.
impossible, make four measurements in various orientations by 9.1.4 Material(s) of the coating(s) and substrate.
rotating the probe in increments of 90°. 9.1.5 Type of instrument calibration and/or standardization.
8.3.6 Residual Magnetism—When residual magnetism is 9.1.6 Frequency(ies) used.
present in the base metal, when using two-pole instruments 9.1.7 Examination procedure identification.
9.1.8 Results of examinations.
7
Coated standards suitable for many applications for the practice may be 10. Keywords
purchased from the Office of Standard reference materials, National Institute of
Standards and Technology (NIST), 100 Bureau Dr., Stop 1070, Gaithersburg, MD 10.1 coating thickness; eddy current probes; magnetic field;
20899-1070, http://www.nist.gov. nondestructive testing
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 E376 − 19

APPENDIXES

(Nonmandatory Information)

X1. ASTM STANDARDS COVERING MAGNETIC AND EDDY CURRENT THICKNESS GAUGES

X1.1 There are several other ASTM standards covering

other methods of measuring coating thickness. Some are listed
in Section 2, others are listed in the Index to ASTM Standards.

X2. SPECIFIC APPLICATIONS

X2.1 Some coatings are specified by weight per unit area the zinc and the steel substrate. Usually an accuracy of better
instead of thickness. Typical examples are shown below: than 615 % can be obtained with magnetic gauges.
Coating Metal Customary Unit Equivalent Thickness
X2.3 National Institute for Standards and Technology
Zinc 305 g/m2 (1 oz/ft2) 0.043 mm (0.0017 in. or 1.7 mils)
Tin 11.0 g/m2 (1 lb/base box) 0.0015 mm (0.00006 in.)
(NIST) Certified Standards should not be removed from the
card on which they are mounted; they should be used on a
X2.2 The measurement accuracy for hot-dip zinc coatings is nonmagnetic work surface.
limited by surface profile and formation of an alloy between

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Committee E07 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue (E376 – 17)
that may impact the use of this standard.

(1) Modified Section 6.2 regarding the use of direct read

instruments.

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