A. Product Overview

The Metrix Plus Coat Gauge FNxL is a digital coating thickness gauge used to measure the thickness of coatings applied over metal surfaces without damaging the coating.

It supports both:

Ferrous substrates: iron, steel and other magnetic metals
Non ferrous substrates: aluminium, copper and other non magnetic metals

The instrument has an integrated probe and automatically uses the appropriate measuring principle depending on the substrate. It is designed for applications such as paint inspection, galvanizing measurement, plating inspection, automotive paint checking, surface treatment and industrial quality control.

Key Specifications

The gauge supports both zero calibration and multi point calibration for improved measurement reliability.

B. Working Principle

The Metrix Plus Coat Gauge FNxL uses two different measurement principles depending on the type of metal underneath the coating.

Magnetic Induction Principle

When measuring coatings on ferrous metals such as iron or steel, the instrument uses magnetic induction.

The probe generates a magnetic field. The distance between the probe and the metal substrate changes depending on the thickness of the coating. The instrument measures this change and converts it into a coating thickness value.

This method can be used for coatings such as:

• Paint on steel

• Powder coating on steel

• Zinc coating on steel

• Lacquer on iron

• Protective coatings on fabricated steel

Eddy Current Principle

When measuring coatings on non ferrous metals such as aluminium or copper, the instrument uses the eddy current principle.

The probe generates an electromagnetic field that produces eddy currents in the conductive metal substrate. The strength of these currents changes according to the distance between the probe and substrate, allowing the gauge to calculate the coating thickness.

This method is useful for applications including:

• Paint on aluminium

• Anodized coatings

• Protective coatings on aluminium

• Lacquer on non ferrous metals

The FNxL therefore allows one instrument to handle both ferrous and non ferrous coating thickness measurements.

C. Why Is the Metrix Plus Coat Gauge FNxL Used?

Coating thickness directly affects the performance, durability, appearance and cost of a coated component.

If a coating is too thin, it may not provide sufficient corrosion protection or surface protection.

If a coating is too thick, it can increase coating consumption, production cost and drying time and may lead to coating defects.

The Coat Gauge FNxL helps users verify coating thickness quickly without cutting, scratching or damaging the coated component.

Typical Uses

• Dry film thickness measurement

• Paint thickness measurement

• Powder coating thickness measurement

• Automotive paint inspection

• Galvanized coating inspection

• Electroplating inspection

• Surface treatment quality control

• Corrosion protection inspection

• Manufacturing quality assurance

• Incoming material inspection

• Finished product inspection

• Maintenance inspection

Metrix describes this type of instrument as suitable for manufacturing, metal processing, chemical industries, commodity inspection, laboratories, workshops and outdoor inspection applications.

D. Suitable Buyers

The Metrix Plus Coat Gauge FNxL is suitable for companies and professionals who need to measure coatings on both steel and non ferrous metal components.

Typical buyers include:

• Paint manufacturers

• Industrial painting contractors

• Powder coating companies

• Automotive workshops

• Automobile inspection companies

• Car detailing professionals

• Fabrication companies

• Galvanizing plants

• Electroplating companies

• Aluminium manufacturers

• Metal processing companies

• Quality control departments

• Quality assurance engineers

• Coating inspectors

• Maintenance engineers

• Manufacturing plants

• Chemical industries

• Testing laboratories

• Surface treatment companies

• Industrial equipment manufacturers

It is particularly useful for buyers who need one portable coating thickness meter for both ferrous and non ferrous substrates.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Metrix Plus Coat Gauge FNxL?

The Metrix Plus Coat Gauge FNxL is a portable digital coating thickness gauge designed to measure dry film coating thickness on both ferrous and non ferrous metal substrates.

2. What is the measurement range of the Coat Gauge FNxL?

The instrument has a coating thickness measuring range of 0 to 1500 micrometers.

3. Can the FNxL measure coating thickness on steel?

Yes. It uses the magnetic induction principle to measure non magnetic coatings applied over ferrous substrates such as iron and steel.

4. Can it measure coatings on aluminium?

Yes. The FNxL uses the eddy current principle for measuring coatings on non ferrous conductive substrates such as aluminium.

5. Is the FNxL a dry film thickness meter?

Yes. It is designed for measuring the thickness of coatings that have already been applied to metal substrates, including paint, plating, anodized layers, lacquer and galvanized coatings.

6. Can the FNxL measure automotive paint thickness?

Yes. The instrument can be used for checking paint thickness on metal automotive body panels where the underlying substrate is ferrous or non ferrous.

7. Can it measure powder coating thickness?

Yes. It can be used for measuring dry powder coating thickness when the coating is applied over a suitable metal substrate.

8. What is the accuracy of the Metrix Plus FNxL?

The specified accuracy is approximately plus or minus 2.5 percent plus 2 micrometers.

9. What is the resolution of the FNxL?

The specified resolution is 0.1 micrometer or 0.01 mil.

10. Does the FNxL support calibration?

Yes. It supports zero point calibration and multi point calibration.

11. Does it support continuous measurement?

Yes. The instrument provides both single measurement and continuous measurement modes.

12. What type of probe does the FNxL use?

The Coat Gauge FNxL uses an integrated probe, making it compact and convenient for portable field measurements.

13. Does it display measurements in micrometers and mil?

Yes. The FNxL supports selectable micrometer and mil measurement units.

14. Does the coating need to be damaged during measurement?

No. The FNxL performs non destructive coating thickness measurement, so the coating does not normally need to be cut or removed for measurement.

15. What coatings can the FNxL measure?

Depending on the substrate and application, it can be used for checking coatings such as paint, lacquer, plating, galvanized layers, anodized layers and similar protective or decorative coatings on metal surfaces.