{"id":25393,"date":"2020-03-18T11:52:04","date_gmt":"2020-03-18T10:52:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.samatools.it\/prodotto\/paint-inspection-gauge-p-i-g-sapig548\/"},"modified":"2026-09-03T16:52:07","modified_gmt":"2026-09-03T14:52:07","slug":"paint-inspection-gauge-p-i-g-sapig548","status":"publish","type":"product","link":"https:\/\/www.samatools.it\/en\/product\/paint-inspection-gauge-p-i-g-sapig548\/","title":{"rendered":"Paint Inspection Gauge (P.I.G.) – SAPIG548"},"content":{"rendered":"

The P.I.G. microscope coating thickness gauge<\/strong>, also known as the Paint Inspection Gauge<\/strong>, is a professional instrument designed to measure the thickness of paints, coatings and multi-layer systems. Unlike electronic thickness gauges based on magnetic induction or eddy currents, the P.I.G. measures coating thickness by microscopically examining an incision made through the coating. This makes it possible to inspect coatings applied to both metallic and non-metallic substrates.<\/p>\n

The P.I.G. test<\/strong> is particularly useful when measuring the overall thickness of a paint system is not sufficient and the individual layers of the applied system must also be assessed. Where primer, undercoat, topcoat or clear coat are present, the built-in microscope makes it possible to observe the coating cross-section and, where the individual layers can be distinguished, measure each layer separately.<\/p>\n

The operating principle consists of making a controlled incision in the coating using a cutter selected according to the thickness range to be checked. The cut passes through the coating down to the substrate, creating an inclined cross-section that can be observed through the built-in microscope. Using the graduated reticle, coating thickness can be determined according to the cutter used, allowing either the total coating thickness or the thickness of individual visible layers to be read.<\/p>\n

As the inspection requires an incision to be made in the surface, the test is destructive at the measurement point<\/strong>. The instrument is therefore suitable where a small local incision is acceptable or where analysing the coating structure provides more useful information than a simple non-destructive measurement of total thickness.<\/p>\n

One of the main advantages of the Paint Inspection Gauge P.I.G.<\/strong> is that its measurement does not depend on the magnetic or electrical properties of the substrate. The inspection can be carried out on steel and non-ferrous metals, as well as on plastic, wood, concrete and plaster<\/strong>, and on other substrates where an incision can be made and the coating cross-section can be clearly observed.<\/p>\n

This feature makes the SAPIG548 particularly suitable for measuring the thickness of paints and coatings applied to materials for which non-destructive digital thickness gauges cannot be used. It can be employed, for example, on painted plastic components, surface-treated wooden products, coated concrete surfaces, metallic substrates and protective systems applied to different materials.<\/p>\n

The overall measuring range, achieved through the different cutters available, allows coatings with thicknesses from 2 to 2,800 \u00b5m<\/strong> to be inspected. The built-in microscope provides 50x<\/strong> magnification, together with the graduated reticle, allows direct observation of the cross-section produced by the incision and measurement of the coating thickness.<\/p>\n

The P.I.G. coating thickness gauge<\/strong> is used for checking industrial paint systems, protective coatings and multi-layer systems where it is important to assess the thickness distribution between the individual applied coats. In a system consisting, for example, of primer, undercoat and topcoat, measuring total thickness alone may not reveal which layer has a value that is not consistent with the process. A microscopic observation of the cross-section instead makes it possible to investigate the inspected area in greater detail.<\/p>\n

This is useful for quality-control activities, production inspections, sample analysis, evaluation of protective systems and investigation of the causes of non-conforming surface results. The P.I.G. gauge<\/strong> makes it possible to verify whether the applied layers are present and whether their thickness is consistent with the intended system, always with reference to the specific area that has been cut into and observed.<\/p>\n

Compared with magnetic-induction or eddy-current digital thickness gauges, which are designed for fast non-destructive measurement on compatible metallic substrates, the Paint Inspection Gauge addresses a different requirement: measuring coatings on non-metallic substrates as well as analysing the individual layers of a multi-layer system. The test requires a local incision, but provides a direct view of the coating cross-section that cannot be obtained with conventional electronic thickness gauges.<\/p>\n

The measurement method refers to ISO 2808<\/strong> and ASTM D4138 – Procedure A<\/strong>, concerning destructive dry-film thickness measurement by controlled incision and a microscopic observation of the cross-section.<\/p>\n

The P.I.G. microscope coating thickness gauge<\/strong> is therefore a dedicated solution for professionals who need to inspect paints, coatings and multi-layer coating systems on a wide range of substrates. It allows the overall coating thickness to be measured and, when the individual layers are clearly visible under the microscope, the thickness of each layer to be measured separately. A calibration report<\/a><\/strong> is available upon request<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Applications<\/h3>\n
    \n
  • Destructive measurement of the thickness of paints, coatings and applied systems<\/li>\n
  • Verification of the total thickness of a coating<\/li>\n
  • Measurement of individual layers in multi-layer paint systems<\/li>\n
  • Analysis of primer, undercoat, topcoat and clear coat in the incised area<\/li>\n
  • Inspection of coatings applied to steel and non-ferrous metals<\/li>\n
  • Measurement of paints and coatings on plastic, wood, concrete and plaster<\/li>\n
  • Inspection of coatings on substrates that cannot be measured with non-destructive electronic thickness gauges<\/li>\n
  • Production and quality-control checks on painted components<\/li>\n
  • Analysis of protective systems and technical coatings<\/li>\n
  • Thickness measurements from 2 to 2,800 \u00b5m based on the cutter used<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    FAQ – Paint Inspection Gauge (P.I.G.)<\/h2>\n

    What is a Paint Inspection Gauge (P.I.G.)?<\/strong>
    \nIt is a coating thickness gauge with a microscope, used to measure paints, coatings and multi-layer systems by making a controlled incision in the surface. It is also known as a P.I.G. gauge or P.I.G. test.<\/p>\n

    How does measurement with the P.I.G. work?<\/strong>
    \nA cutter makes an incision through the coating down to the substrate, producing an inclined cross-section. The incision is observed through the built-in microscope and the graduated reticle is used to determine coating thickness according to the cutter selected.<\/p>\n

    Is the Paint Inspection Gauge test destructive?<\/strong>
    \nYes. Measurement requires a small local incision in the coating at the inspection point. For this reason, the method is considered destructive.<\/p>\n

    Can the P.I.G. measure multi-layer coatings?<\/strong>
    \nYes. Where the individual layers are distinguishable in the incised cross-section, the instrument can determine both the overall coating thickness and that of each layer, such as primer, undercoat, topcoat or clear coat.<\/p>\n

    Which substrates can it be used on?<\/strong>
    \nIt can be used on metallic substrates, including steel and non-ferrous metals, and on non-metallic materials such as plastic, wood, concrete and plaster, provided that the incision can be made correctly and the coating cross-section can be observed.<\/p>\n

    Why choose a P.I.G. instead of a non-destructive digital coating thickness gauge?<\/strong>
    \nThe P.I.G. is suitable where coatings applied to non-metallic substrates must be measured or where the individual layers of a multi-layer system must be analysed separately. Non-destructive digital thickness gauges are more suitable for rapid checks on compatible metallic substrates where the surface must remain intact.<\/p>\n

    What is the measuring range of the instrument?<\/strong>
    \nThe overall measuring range is from 2 to 2,800 \u00b5m, according to the cutter selected for the inspection.<\/p>\n

    Does cutter selection affect the measurement?<\/strong>
    \nYes. Each cutter is intended for a specific thickness range. Selecting the correct cutter makes it possible to get a suitable cross-section for microscopic reading of the coating being checked.<\/p>\n

    Can the P.I.G. measure paint thickness on plastic or wood?<\/strong>
    \nYes. Being a measurement that is based on incision and microscopic observation, the instrument can also be used on plastic, wood and other non-metallic substrates compatible with the test.<\/p>\n

    Which standards apply to the measurement method?<\/strong>
    \nThe method refers to ISO 2808 for determining the thickness of films applied to a substrate and ASTM D4138 – Procedure A for destructive dry-film thickness measurement by incision and microscopic observation.<\/p>\n

    Can a calibration report be requested?<\/strong>
    \nYes. A calibration report is available on request to support instrument management within company quality-control procedures.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    The P.I.G. microscope coating thickness gauge, also known as the Paint Inspection Gauge, is a professional instrument designed to measure the thickness of paints, coatings and multi-layer systems. Unlike electronic thickness gauges based on magnetic induction or eddy currents, the P.I.G. measures coating thickness by microscopically examining an incision made through the coating. This makes […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":33343,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"product_brand":[],"product_cat":[6278],"product_tag":[],"class_list":["post-25393","product","type-product","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","product_cat-coating-measurement-and-control","first","instock","product-type-simple"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.samatools.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product\/25393","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.samatools.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.samatools.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/product"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.samatools.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/33343"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.samatools.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25393"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"product_brand","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.samatools.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_brand?post=25393"},{"taxonomy":"product_cat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.samatools.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_cat?post=25393"},{"taxonomy":"product_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.samatools.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_tag?post=25393"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}