This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles

for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

Designation: D4414 − 95 (Reapproved 2020)

Standard Practice for

Measurement of Wet Film Thickness by Notch Gages1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4414; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical

1.1 This practice describes the use of thin rigid metal Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
notched gages, also called step or comb gages, in the measure-
ment of wet film thickness of organic coatings, such as paint, 2. Referenced Documents
varnish, and lacquer. 2.1 ASTM Standards:2
1.2 Notched gage measurements are neither accurate nor D1212 Test Methods for Measurement of Wet Film Thick-
sensitive, but they are useful in determining approximate wet ness of Organic Coatings
film thickness of coatings on articles where size(s) and shape(s)
3. Summary of Practice
prohibit the use of the more precise methods given in Test
Methods D1212. 3.1 The material is applied to the articles to be coated and
the wet film thickness measured with a notched gage.
1.3 This practice is divided into the following two proce-
dures: 3.2 Procedure A—A square or rectangular thin rigid metal
1.3.1 Procedure A—A square or rectangular rigid metal gage with notched sides, having tabs of varying lengths, is
gage with notched sides is used to measure wet film thick- pushed perpendicularly into the film. After removal from the
nesses ranging from 3 to 2000 µm (0.5 to 80 mils 1). Such a film, the gage is examined and the film thickness is determined
gage is applicable to coatings on flat substrates and to coatings to lie between the clearance of the shortest tab wet by the film
on articles of various sizes and complex shapes where it is and the clearance of the next shorter tab not wetted by the film.
possible to get the end tabs of the gage to rest in the same plane 3.3 Procedure B—A circular thin rigid metal gage having
on the substrate. spaced notches of varying depths around its periphery is rolled
1.3.2 Procedure B—A circular thin rigid metal notched gage perpendicularly across the film. After removal from the film,
is used to measure wet film thicknesses ranging from 25 to the gage is examined and the film thickness is determined as
2500 µm (1 to 100 mils ). Such a gage is applicable to coatings being between the clearance of the deepest face wetted and the
on flat substrates and to coatings on objects of various sizes and clearance of the next deepest notch face not wetted by the film.
complex shapes.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the 4. Significance and Use
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information 4.1 Wet film thickness measurements of coatings applied on
only. articles can be very helpful in controlling the thickness of the
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the final dry coating, although in some specifications the wet film
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the thickness is specified. Most protective and high performance
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- coatings are applied to meet a requirement or specification for
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter- dry film thickness for each coat or for the completed coating
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. system, or for both.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor- 4.2 There is a direct relationship between dry film thickness
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- and wet film thickness. The wet film/dry film ratio is deter-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the mined by the volume of volatiles in the coating as applied,
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- including permitted thinning. With some flat coatings the dry
film thickness is higher than that calculated from the wet film
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on Paint and
Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee D01.23 on Physical Properties of Applied Paint Films. 2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved June 1, 2020. Published July 2020. Originally approved contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
in 1984. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as D4414 – 95 (2013). DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/D4414-95R20. the ASTM website.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States

1
 D4414 − 95 (2020)
thickness. Consequently, the results from the notch gage are
not to be used to verify the nonvolatile content of a coating.
4.3 Measurement of wet film thickness at the time of
application is most appropriate as it permits correction and
adjustment of the film by the applicator at the time of
application. Correction of the film after it has dried or
chemically cured requires costly extra labor time, may lead to
contamination of the film, and may introduce problems of FIG. 1 Rectangular Notched Gage
adhesion and integrity of the coating system.
7.1.1 Each notched side shall consist of a series of tabs
4.4 The procedures using notched gages do not provide as (between notches) varying in length and located in a line
accurate or sensitive measurements of wet film thickness as do between two end tabs equal in length and longest in the row.
the Interchemical and Pfund gages described in Test Methods 7.1.2 As an example, the tabs on one row of a gage may
D1212. Notch gages may, however, be used on nonuniform differ in length as follows:
surfaces, like concrete block, that are too rough to use the By 13 µm (0.5 mil) between 0 to 150 µm (0 and 6 mils),
Interchemical and Pfund gages. Also notched gages can be By 25 µm (1 mil) between 150 to 250 µm (6 and 10 mils),
very useful in the shop and field for determining the approxi- By 50 µm (2 mils) between 250 to 750 µm (10 and 30 mils),
mate thickness of wet films over commercial articles where and
size(s) and shape(s) are not suitable for measurements by other By 125 µm (5 mils) over 750 µm (30 mils).
types of gages. Examples of such items are ellipses, thin edges,
and corners. 8. Procedure
4.5 An operator experienced in the use of a notched gage 8.1 Apply the coating material to a rigid substrate and test
can monitor the coating application well enough to ensure the with the gage immediately. The gage must be used immediately
minimum required film thickness will be obtained. following application of the coating. Some coatings lose
solvents quickly and spray application increases the speed. The
4.6 Application losses, such as overspray, loss on transfer, resulting rapid reduction in wet film thickness can cause
and coating residue in application equipment, are a significant misleading readings.
unmeasurable part of the coating used on a job and are not
accounted for by measurement of wet film thickness. 8.2 Locate an area sufficiently large to permit both end tabs
of the gage to rest on the substrate in the same plane.
5. Report 8.3 Push the gage perpendicularly into the wet film so that
5.1 Report the following information: the two end tabs rest firmly on the substrate at the same time.
5.1.1 The mean and range of the readings taken and the 8.4 Or, set one end tab firmly on the substrate and lower the
number of readings. gage until the other end tab is firmly in contact with the
5.1.2 The smallest graduation of the gage used. substrate.
6. Precision and Bias 8.5 Remove the gage from the film and examine the tabs.
6.1 The precision and bias of Procedure A or B for measur- The film thickness is determined as being between the clear-
ing wet film thickness with notch gages are very dependent on ance of the shortest tab wetted and the clearance of the next
methods of film application, time that the measurement is taken shorter tab not wetted by the film.
after film application, mechanical condition of the notch gages, 8.6 Clean the gage immediately after each reading by
and the step range of the gages. wiping it on a dry or solvent-dampened cloth so that subse-
6.2 Generally, the agreement between notch gages is good quent readings are not affected. Do not clean with metal
because they are insensitive to small differences in film scrapers.
thickness, that is the step intervals of the gages are relatively 8.7 Repeat the procedure in 8.2 – 8.5 for at least three
large. locations on the film. The number of readings required to
obtain a good estimate of the film thickness varies with the
PROCEDURE A shape and size of the article being coated, with the operator’s
7. Apparatus experience, and whether one or more of the following prob-
lems are encountered:
7.1 Notched Gage, square or rectangular, thin rigid metal 8.7.1 Some coatings may not wet (leave residue on) some
plate, with notched sides (see Fig. 1), made from steel or metal gages. However, the film itself may show where contact
aluminum3 (Note 1). Nonmetallic gages shall not be used. was made. When reading the gage, look at both the gage and
NOTE 1—Aluminum or aluminum alloy gages are more easily distorted the film itself for verification of the reading.
and may exhibit greater wear than steel gages. Gages made of plastic or 8.7.2 The gage may slip on the surface. Ignore such read-
deformable metal are not suitable. ings.
8.7.3 The surface may be coarse and false readings pro-
3
These gages are commercially available from various coating equipment and duced. The spot where the gage is used must be as uniform as
instrument suppliers. possible and questionable readings ignored.

2
 D4414 − 95 (2020)
10.2 Examples of the scale increments and ranges provided
by the notches are:
10.2.1 25-µm increments between 25 µm to 100 µm (1 to 4
mils),
10.2.2 50-µm increments between 150 µm to 1500 µm (6
and 60 mils), and
10.2.3 100-µm increments between 1500 µm to 2000 µm
(60 and 80 mils).
11. Procedure
11.1 Select a gage that has a segment with a thickness scale
appropriate for the expected range of wet-film thickness.
11.2 Locate areas on the rigid substrate sufficiently large to
permit the gage to roll for at least 11⁄2 in. (40 mm).
11.3 Apply the liquid coating to the substrate and immedi-
FIG. 2 Circular Notched Gage ately place the selected segment perpendicularly on the wet
film and in firm contact with the substrate. Roll the gage across
8.8 Determine the mean and range of the readings. the film, holding the disk with a thumb and index finger in the
center hole.
9. Report 11.4 Remove the gage from the film and inspect the notch
9.1 Report the mean and range of the readings. faces. The wet-film thickness is determined as being between
the clearance of the deepest notch face wetted and the
PROCEDURE B clearance of the next deeper notch face not wetted by the film.
10. Apparatus 11.5 Clean the gage immediately after each reading by
4 wiping on a dry or solvent-dampened cloth so that subsequent
10.1 Circular Notched Gage, thin metal disk, with cali-
readings are not affected. Do not clean with metal scrapers.
brated notches of various depths spaced around its periphery
(see Fig. 2). Each notch has a recessed flat face. A hole is in the 11.6 Repeat the procedure from 11.1 – 11.5 as described in
center of the disk. 8.7.
11.7 Determine the mean and range of the readings.
4
The “Hotcake” Wet Film Thickness Gage is covered by a patent held by Paul
N. Gardner, Sr., 316 N.E. First Street, Pompano Beach, FL 33060. Interested parties
12. Report
are invited to submit information regarding the identification of acceptable alterna- 12.1 Report the mean and range of the readings.
tives to this patented item to the Committee on Standards, ASTM International
Headquarters, 100 Barr Harbor Drive., West Conshohocken, PA 19428. Your 13. Keywords
comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of the responsible
technical committee, which you may attend. 13.1 circular notched gage; rectangular notched gage

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