enElcometer
3520 • 3525 • 3530
3540 • 3550

Film Applicator

Operating Instructions

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is a registered trademark of Elcometer Limited.
All other trademarks acknowledged.
© Copyright Elcometer Limited. 2008 - 2014.
All rights reserved. No part of this Document may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored (in a retrieval
system or otherwise) or translated into any language, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical,magnetic, optical, manual or otherwise) without the prior written permission of Elcometer Limited.
A copy of this Instruction Manual is available for download on our Website via www.elcometer.com.
Doc.No. TMA-0338 Issue 04
Text with Cover No: 19490

Section

Page

1

About this instrument. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

2Selecting film thickness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43Application procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

4Wet film thickness. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86Sales part numbers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97Related Elcometer equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

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RCONTENTS

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Thank you for your purchase of this Elcometer Film Applicator. Welcome to Elcometer.
Elcometer are world leaders in the design, manufacture and supply of inspection equipment for coatingsand concrete. Our products cover all aspects of coating inspection, from development through application
to post application inspection.
This Elcometer Film Applicator is a world beating product. With the purchase of this instrument you now
have access to the worldwide service and support network of Elcometer. For more information visit ourwebsite at www.elcometer.com

1 ABOUT THIS INSTRUMENTThe Elcometer Film Applicator is a simple but effective instrument for applying a uniform and reproducible
film of product to a substrate.
The applicator is placed on the substrate and pushed over a sample of the product to produce the film. Yourapplicator can be pushed by hand or by a motorised film applicator.
The applicator is manufactured from hardened stainless steel.

1.1 What the box contains•Elcometer Film Applicator•

Storage case•Operating instructions

Your Elcometer Film Applicator is packed in a cardboard and foam package. Please ensure that all
packaging material is disposed of in an environmentally sensitive manner. Consult your local Environmental
Authority for further guidance.
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Depending upon model, Elcometer film applicators can be used in accordance with the following Nationaland International Standards:
ASTM D 823-E

1.3 These instructions
These instructions describe the operation of the following models of film applicator:
Elcometer 3520 Baker Applicator
Elcometer 3525 Baker Applicator (Adjustable)
Elcometer 3530 Baker Applicator (Adjustable)
Elcometer 3540 Four Sided Film Applicator
Elcometer 3550 Single Sided Film Applicator
To maximise the benefits of your new Elcometer Film Applicator please take some time to read these
Operating Instructions. Do not hesitate to contact Elcometer or your Elcometer supplier if you haveany questions.

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1.2 Standards

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2 SELECTING FILM THICKNESSBefore you apply a film, select the correct film thickness:
2.1 NON-ADJUSTABLE MODELS
1209030

The numbers engraved on the end face of the applicator indicate the filmthickness. Place the applicator with the required thickness in contact with thesubstrate; the applicator shown below will give a film thickness ofapproximatelya 60 µm (2 mils).

60

2.2 ADJUSTABLE MODELS
1. Loosen one of the hexagonal screws.

a.

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The actual wet film thickness will depend on the behaviour of the wet coating.

3. Tighten the hexagon screw taking care not to disturb the position of
the foot of the applicator.

4. Repeat steps 1 to 3 for the opposite sideb.
The applicator is now adjusted and ready for use.

b.

Setting different values at each side of the cylinder will result in a wedge-shaped film.

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2. Slide the foot of the applicator until the mark on the side of the body isaligned with the scale at the thickness required.

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3 APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Take care while you are using your Elcometer Film Applicator. Damage to the working surfaces willaffect the film thickness and the instrument may have to be replaced.
1. Before each use check the working surfaces for irregularities and damage.
2. Fix a clean substrate on a flat and horizontal base (e.g. vacuum table).
3. At one end of the substrate, spread sufficient productover a width slightly smaller than the internal width of theapplicator.

4. Place the applicator onto the substrate behind theproduct.

66. Lift the applicator from the substrate taking care to catchany product dripping from the applicator before it landson the newly prepared film.

After the test, clean your film applicator thoroughly.
Do not use very aggressive solvents orwire brushes, metal scrapers, metal files orother metallic tools for cleaning.

Clean the applicator using a suitablesolvent.

After cleaning, ensure that all materials are removed and that the instrument is dry.
Use the case provided to store the gauge when it is not being used.
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5. Spread the film by moving the applicator towards theopposite end of the substrate at a constant speed.

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4 WET FILM THICKNESSThe thickness of the film produced by your applicator depends on many factors including;•the speed of film application,•

the thickness setting of the applicator,•surface tension,•and the viscosity of the product.

5 MAINTENANCE
The Elcometer Film Applicator is designed to give many years reliable service under normal operating andstorage conditions.
Regular calibration checks over the life of the gauge are a requirement of quality management procedures
e.g. ISO 9000 and other standards. For checks and certification contact Elcometer or your local supplier.

86.1 Elcometer 3520 Baker Film Applicators, Non-adjustable
ModelGaps

3520/13520/23520/33520/43520/53520/63520/73520/113520/83520/9

4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4

Film gaps

Film widthPart number(µm)(mils)(mm) (inch) MetricImperial30, 60, 90, 12030, 60, 90, 120
30, 60, 90, 120
30, 60, 90, 120
30, 60, 90, 120
30, 60, 90, 120
30, 60, 90, 120
30, 60, 90, 120
30, 60, 90, 120
30, 60, 90, 120

1, 2, 3, 4
1, 2, 3, 4
1, 2, 3, 4
1, 2, 3, 4
1, 2, 3, 4
1, 2, 3, 4
1, 2, 3, 4
1, 2, 3, 4
1, 2, 3, 4
1, 2, 3, 4

2550
60
75
100
125150175200250

K0US3520M001
K0US3520M002
K0US3520M003
K0US3520M004
K0US3520M005
K0US3520M006
K0US3520M007
K0US3520M011
K0US3520M008
K0US3520M009

122.534567810

K0003520M001
K0003520M002
K0003520M003
K0003520M004
K0003520M005
K0003520M006
K0003520M007
K0003520M011
K0003520M008
K0003520M009

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6.2 Elcometer 3525/3530 Baker Film Applicators, Adjustable
Model

Gaps

3525/13525/23525/33525/43525/53525/63530/13530/23530/33530/43530/53530/6

1111
111
1111
1

10Film gaps

Film widthPart number(µm)(mils)(mm) (inch)

MetricImperial

0 to 100
0 to 1000 to 100
0 to 100
0 to 100
0 to 100
0 to 250
0 to 250
0 to 250
0 to 250
0 to 250
0 to 250

0 to 40 to 40 to 40 to 40 to 40 to 40 to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 to 1050
75
100
150200
250
50
75
100
150200250

K0003525M001
K0003525M002
K0003525M003
K0003525M004
K0003525M005
K0003525M006
K0003530M001
K0003530M002
K0003530M003
K0003530M004
K0003530M005
K0003530M006

K0US3525M001
K0US3525M002
K0US3525M003
K0US3525M004
K0US3525M005
K0US3525M006
K0US3520M001
K0US3530M002
K0US3530M003
K0US3530M004
K0US3530M005
K0US3530M006

23468102346810

ModelGaps

3550/13550/23550/33550/13550/23550/33540/13540/23540/33540/43540/53540/6

11111
144
4444

Film gaps

Film widthPart number(µm)(mils)(mm) (inch)

MetricImperial

50
50
50
75
75
75
50, 100, 150, 200
50, 100, 150, 200
50, 100, 150, 200
50, 100, 150, 200
50, 100, 150, 200
50, 100, 150, 200

22233
32, 4, 6, 8
2, 4, 6, 8
2, 4, 6, 8
2, 4, 6, 8
2, 4, 6, 8
2, 4, 6, 850751505075
1505075
100
150200250

K0003550M001
K0003550M002
K0003550M003
K0003550M201
K0003550M202
K0003550M203
K0003540M001
K0003540M002
K0003540M003
K0003540M004
K0003540M005
K0003540M006

K0US3550M001
K0US3550M002
K0US3550M003
K0US3550M201
K0US3550M202
K0US3550M203
K0US3540M001
K0US3540M002
K0US3540M003
K0US3540M004
K0US3540M005
K0US3540M006

236236234681011enR6.3 Elcometer 3540/3550 Film Applicators, Non-adjustableen

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7 RELATED ELCOMETER EQUIPMENT
Elcometer produces a wide range of coatings inspection gauges and related equipment.
Users of this Elcometer Film Applicator may also benefit from the following Elcometer products:•

Elcometer Fineness of Grind Gauges•

Elcometer Viscosity Meters•

Elcometer Motorised Film Applicators•

Elcometer Leneta Test Charts•

Elcometer Drying Time Recorders•

Elcometer Washability, Brushability and Abrasion Testers•Elcometer Hardness Testers

For further information contact Elcometer, your local supplier or visit www.elcometer.com

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