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Select a Coating Thickness Gauge by Substrate
On a coating-thickness gauge, the substrate decides which measurement principle is physically valid — so the most reliable way to shortlist is to start from what you are measuring on. This guide groups the gauges by substrate family: ferrous steel, non-ferrous metals, mixed or unknown substrates, duplex zinc-plus-paint systems and non-metallic materials, with the route that fits each.
1. Steel or Other Ferrous Substrates
For non-magnetic coatings on steel or iron, the most practical route is normally magnetic induction.
- PosiTector 6000 GP with an F probe is a strong mainstream route for paint, powder coating and general industrial finishes on steel.
- MiniTest 725 is a stronger route when the workflow needs more data handling and feature support.
- 3000FX series is a simpler compact route for routine ferrous coating measurement.
- MikroTest remains relevant where a mechanical no-battery route is preferred.
2. Aluminium and Other Non-Ferrous Substrates
For non-conductive coatings on non-ferrous metals, eddy current is usually the correct route.
- PosiTector 6000 AN is a direct route for anodising, paint and similar coatings on aluminium and related substrates.
- DCN-3000FX is a straightforward non-ferrous route for day-to-day inspection work.
- MiniTest 745 is stronger where probe flexibility and higher-capacity data workflow matter.
3. Mixed or Unknown Substrates
When the buyer cannot guarantee one substrate family, dual FN gauges reduce the risk of choosing too narrowly.
- PosiTector 6000 GP is the strongest general route for mixed-substrate coating inspection.
- DCFN-3000EZ is a wider-range, budget-conscious dual route.
- PaintCheck is the simpler route when ease of use matters more than a feature-heavy workflow.
4. Duplex Systems on Galvanised Steel
When the requirement is to deal with zinc plus paint rather than a simpler single-layer system, the buying route becomes more specialised.
- PosiTector 6000 FNDS is the route designed for separate treatment of duplex coating structures on galvanised steel.
5. Non-Metallic Substrates and Multi-Layer Systems
If the substrate is plastic, wood, concrete or another non-metallic material, magnetic and eddy-current routes are no longer the right buying path.
- PosiTector 200 is the straightforward ultrasonic route for coatings on non-metallic substrates.
- QuintSonic-T is the more advanced route when multiple individual layers need to be resolved.
If the work is on electroplated metallic coatings and a destructive spot method is acceptable, GalvanoTest 2000/3000 is the specialist coulometric route. If the requirement is uncured powder before curing, PosiTest-PC is the dedicated route.