ASTM B681-88(1994)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Measurement of Thickness of Anodic Coatings on Aluminum and of Other Transparent Coatings on Opaque Surfaces Using the Light-Section Microscope (Withdrawn 2001)
Standard Test Method for Measurement of Thickness of Anodic Coatings on Aluminum and of Other Transparent Coatings on Opaque Surfaces Using the Light-Section Microscope (Withdrawn 2001)
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers a procedure for the nondestructive measurement of the thickness of transparent anodic coatings on aluminum articles by means of the light-section microscope. This method may also be used to measure the thickness of any transparent coating on an opaque reflective surface.
1.2 This standard may involve hazardous materials, operations, and equipment. This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems 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.
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Designation: B 681 – 88 (Reapproved 1994)
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS
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Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Copyright ASTM
Standard Test Method for
Measurement of Thickness of Anodic Coatings on
Aluminum and of Other Transparent Coatings on Opaque
Surfaces Using the Light-Section Microscope
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B 681; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope the coating-substrate interface is measured and is directly
related to the coating thickness.
1.1 This test method covers a procedure for the nondestruc-
tive measurement of the thickness of transparent anodic
4. Significance and Use
coatings on aluminum articles by means of the light-section
4.1 The test method describes a rapid and nondestructive
microscope. This method may also be used to measure the
procedure for measuring the coating thickness of anodic oxides
thickness of any transparent coating on an opaque reflective
on aluminum and of other transparent coatings on opaque
surface.
reflecting surfaces.
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4.2 This test method is suitable for quality control purposes
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
within manufacturing operations and for determining whether
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
coated parts meet coating thickness requirements provided in
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
applicable specifications.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4.3 The test method is limited by the following restrictions:
2. Referenced Documents 4.3.1 The coating must be sufficiently transparent to allow
the light from the instrument to reflect off the coating-substrate
2.1 ASTM Standards:
interface and be visible as a distinct line.
B 244 Test Method for Measurement of Thickness of An-
4.3.2 Both the coating and substrate must be sufficiently
odic Coatings on Aluminum and of Other Nonconductive
smooth to allow the beams of light to reflect from the coating
Coatings on Nonmagnetic Basis Metals with Eddy-Current
surface and the coating-substrate interface without significant
Instruments
distortion or aberration and to be clearly visible.
B 487 Test Method for Measurement of Metal and Oxide
4.3.3 The index of refraction of the coating material must be
Coating Thicknesses by Microscopical Examination of a
known.
Cross Section
4.3.4 The coating must be in the thickness range of 2 to 40
B 588 Test Method for Measurement of Thickness of Trans-
μm.
parent or Opaque Coatings by Double-Beam Interference
4.4 This test method is suitable for most clear anodic
Microscope Technique
coatings on aluminum articles used in interior or exterior
2.2 International Standard:
applications for decorative or protective purposes. It is appli-
ISO 2128 Anodizing of Aluminum and Its Alloys—
cable to coatings that have been dyed if the depth of color is not
Determination of Thickness of Anodic Oxide Coatings—
so great as to obscure the coating-substrate interface. It is also
Nondestructive Measurement by Split-Beam Microscope
applicable to some transparent organic coatings such as clear or
3. Summary of Test Method
dyed lacquers, provided that their thickness and uniformity fall
within the guidelines given above.
3.1 The thickness of a transparent anodic coating or other
4.5 This test method is not suitable for barrier layer anodic
transparent coating is determined by a microscopical method in
coatings, integral color coatings except in the lightest colors,
which a thin beam of light is projected on to the specimen
hard anodic coatings, or some specialty types of coatings that
surface at an angle of 45° to the normal. The displacement
are too thin, thick, or rough. Other methods such as the
between the rays reflected from the coating surface and from
eddy-current technique, Test Method B 244, cross-section
technique, Test Method B 487, and interference microscope
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B-8 on Metallic
technique, Test Method B 588, may be applicable to coatings
and Inorganic Coatings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B08.10 on
on which the light-section microscope cannot be used.
General Test Methods.
Current edition approved Aug. 26, 1988. Published November 1988.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 02.05. 5. Lacquered Anodic Coatings
Available from American National Standards Institute, 11 W. 42nd St., 13th
5.1 This test method will not give accurate anodic coating
Floor, New York, NY 10036.
B 681
thickness measurements on samples that have been lacquered critical applications or in cases where questionable results have
after anodizing. been obtained.
5.2 In the case of anodized and lacquered articles it is
7.2 Prepare a calibration standard or set of standards cov-
necessary to remove the lacquer overcoating with appropriate ering the range of coating thicknesses of interest by anodizing
solvents in order to obtain an accurate anodic coating thick- and sealing parts or panels similar or identical to the ones to be
ness. measured. Cut pieces of these samples and measure the coating
thickness in accordance with Method B 487. The remaining
6. Apparatus
part of the sample is the calibration standard.
6.1 Light-Section Microscope, consisting of a light source 7.3 Each operator of the instrument shall measure the
and microscope with measuring capabilities, mounted on a
calibration standards with the light-section microscope. Agree-
suitable stand to allow observation of the specimen. ment between the two methods shall be within 6 1μmor 6
6.2 The light source shall be suitably bright to provide a
10 % of the coating thickness, whichever is greater. If this
sharp collimated beam of light, preferably either filtered or agreement is not met, contact the manufacturer of the micro-
monochromatic, at an angle of incidence of 45° to the
scope and have it repaired.
specimen surface. The beam shall be about 1 μm in width by 1
mm in length. 8. Procedure
6.3 The microscope body shall be mounted such that it can
8.1 Make the thickness measurements on the significant
focus on the specimen surface and with its axis in the plane of
surfaces of the test specimens: Take care to avoid biases from
incident and reflected rays of light. The microscope body shall
edge effects on the coating thickness.
be normal to the incident beam and shall be at an angle of 45°
8.2 Position the test specimens on the stage of the micro-
to the specimen surface.
scope such that the area to be
...
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