Coating Thickness Measurement—and what to do with the Results

Modern industry and domestic users continue to demand increasing quantities of coated products. Since price, performance and appearance are all dependent upon the thickness of these coatings, it is mandatory to measure thicknesses as fast, as accurately and as economically as possible. Modern technology has largely solved the mechanics, or more correctly the electronics, of the actual measuring process, but now most ordinary users find problems in how best to use the results for the greatest overall benefit. The Beta Backscatter method of measurement applied to the production and use of printed circuits is taken as an example of what can be done with a little more knowledge, perhaps a little beyond that of simple coating thickness measurement.