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ASTM B487-85(2013)

(Test Method)

Standard Test Method for Measurement of Metal and Oxide Coating Thickness by Microscopical Examination of Cross Section

Standard Test Method for Measurement of Metal and Oxide Coating Thickness by Microscopical Examination of Cross Section

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Coating thickness is an important factor in the performance of a coating in service and is usually specified in a coating specification.  
4.2 This method is suitable for acceptance testing.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers measurement of the local thickness of metal and oxide coatings by the microscopical examination of cross sections using an optical microscope.  
1.2 Under good conditions, when using an optical microscope, the method is capable of giving an absolute measuring accuracy of 0.8 μm. This will determine the suitability of the method for measuring the thickness of thin coatings.  
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. (This is especially applicable to the chemicals cited in Table X2.1.)

General Information

Status
Historical
Publication Date
30-Nov-2013
ICS
17.040.20 - Properties of surfaces
Technical Committee
B08 - Metallic and Inorganic Coatings
Drafting Committee
B08.10 - Test Methods
Current Stage
Ref Project

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ASTM B487-85(2013) - Standard Test Method for Measurement of Metal and Oxide Coating Thickness by Microscopical Examination of Cross SectionASTM B487-85(2013) - Standard Test Method for Measurement of Metal and Oxide Coating Thickness by Microscopical Examination of Cross Section
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ASTM B487-85(2013) - Standard Test Method for Measurement of Metal and Oxide Coating Thickness by Microscopical Examination of Cross Section
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: B487 − 85 (Reapproved 2013)
Standard Test Method for
Measurement of Metal and Oxide Coating Thickness by
1
Microscopical Examination of Cross Section
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B487; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber 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 4. Significance and Use
1.1 This test method covers measurement of the local
4.1 Coating thickness is an important factor in the perfor-
thickness of metal and oxide coatings by the microscopical mance of a coating in service and is usually specified in a
examination of cross sections using an optical microscope. coating specification.
1.2 Under good conditions, when using an optical
4.2 This method is suitable for acceptance testing.
microscope, the method is capable of giving an absolute
measuring accuracy of 0.8 µm. This will determine the suit-
5. Factors Influencing the Measurement Result
ability of the method for measuring the thickness of thin
5.1 Surface Roughness—If the coating or its substrate has a
coatings.
rough surface, one or both of the interfaces bounding the
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
coating cross section may be too irregular to permit accurate
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
measurement. (See X1.4)
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
5.2 Taper of Cross Section—Iftheplaneofthecrosssection
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
is not perpendicular to the plane of the coating, the measured
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. (This is especially
thickness will be greater than the true thickness. For example,
applicable to the chemicals cited in Table X2.1.)
an inclination of 10° to the perpendicular will contribute a
1.5% error.
2. Referenced Documents
2
5.3 Deformation of the Coating—Detrimental deformation
2.1 ASTM Standards:
of the coating can be caused by excessive temperature or
E3Guide for Preparation of Metallographic Specimens
pressure during mounting and preparation of cross sections of
soft coatings or coatings melting at low temperatures, and also
3. Summary of Test Method
by excessive abrasion of brittle materials during preparation of
3.1 This test method consists of cutting out a portion of the
cross sections.
test specimen, mounting it, and preparing the mounted cross
5.4 Rounding of Edge of Coating—Iftheedgeofthecoating
section by suitable techniques of grinding, polishing, and
cross section is rounded, that is, if the coating cross section is
etching.The thicknessofthecrosssectionismeasuredwithan
notcompletelyflatuptoitsedges,thetruethicknesscannotbe
optical microscope.
observed microscopically. Edge rounding can be caused by
NOTE 1—These techniques will be familiar to experienced metallogra-
improper mounting, grinding, polishing, or etching. It is
phersbutsomeguidanceisgiveninSection5andinAppendixX1forless
usually minimized by overplating the test specimen before
experienced operators.
mounting. (See X1.2.)
5.5 Overplating—Overplatingofthetestspecimenservesto
protect the coating edges during preparation of cross sections
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeB08onMetallic
and thus to prevent an erroneous measurement. Removal of
and Inorganic Coatingsand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B08.10 on
Test Methods.
coating material during surface preparation for overplating can
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2013. Published December 2013. Originally
cause a low-thickness measurement.
approved in 1968. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as B487–85 (2007).
DOI: 10.1520/B0487-85R13.
5.6 Etching—Optimum etching will produce a clearly de-
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
fined and narrow dark line at the interface of two metals.
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Excessive etching produces a poorly defined or wide line
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. which may result in an erroneous measurement.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
B487 − 85 (2013)
5.7 Smearing—Improper polishing may leave one metal occurs between the time of calibration and the time of
smearedovertheothermetalsoastoobscurethetrueboundary measurement, the measurement will be in error. A change in
betweenthetwometals.Theapparentbo
...

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3.1 A diffusion coating is one produced by causing an element or elements to react with or diffuse into, or both, the surface of a metallic substrate, thus chemically altering the substrate adjacent to the surface. To appreciate the significance of coating thickness measurements one must understand the contributions to a particular coating of solid-solution zones in the substrate and reaction products such as intermetallic compounds.
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1.1 These test methods cover two procedures for measuring the thickness of diffusion coatings.  
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1.3 Test Method B is the determination of total coating thickness, defined as the distance between the observably unaffected substrate and the exterior surface of the coating. This includes the total of all included phases, zones and layers. (The term case depth is considered to be synonymous with total coating thickness.) The total coating thickness is determined by cross-sectioning the coating, preparing a metallurgical mount and microscopically measuring the coating thickness.  
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1.5 Diffusion coatings are usually formed at elevated temperatures for service at elevated temperatures. This means that diffusion coatings are dynamic systems which are continually undergoing changes while in an elevated-temperature environment. It is necessary to know that certain phases are growing at the expense of others and to know the previous history of a coating to understand the significance of coating thickness data.  
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