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TESTEX REPLICA TAPE (PRESS-O-FILM)
the low-cost way to measure profile
Testex is the manufacturer of Press-O-Film replica tape. Press-O-Film provides inspectors and researchers a simple way to obtain an impression of a surface.
Press-O-Film (POF) consists of a layer of crushable plastic microfoam coated onto a polyester film of highly uniform thickness.
When compressed against a roughened material, Press-O-Film accurately replicates details of its surface roughness.
The impression can be studied in either of two ways:
A simple micrometric dial thickness gage can be used to determine the average maximum peak-to-valley roughness, or "profile," of a replicated surface, or,
An optical profiling interferometer or similar device can be used to produce maps of the replica's surface topography. This is most appropriate to study of subtle features at the microinch (25 nanometer) level.
Tape Grades:
Testex Press-O-Film replica tape is available in a variety of thicknesses to facilitate profile measurement in differing ranges.
The primary range for measurement with replica tape is 0.8 to 4.5 mils (20 to 115 um). Use of Coarse Minus grade (<0.8 mil or <20 um) or X-Coarse Plus grade tape (>4.5 mil or >115 um) should be restricted primarily to checking measurements at the lower and upper ends of the primary range.
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Grade (descriptive) |
Range When Used With Gauge (mils) / (um) |
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Coarse Minus |
0.5 to 1.0 / 12 to 25 |
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Coarse |
0.8 to 2.5 / 20 to 64 |
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X-Coarse |
1.5 to 4.5 / 38 to 115 |
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X-Coarse Plus |
4.6 to 5.0 / 116 to 127 |
Standards Compliance:
STANDARDS GOVERNING USE OF REPLICA TAPE TO MEASURE PROFILE
ASTM - (American Society for Testing and Materials) D 4417-C
Standard Test Methods for Field Measurement of Surface Profile of Blast Cleaned Steel
NACE - International (National Association of Corrosion Engineers) RP0287:
Standard Recommended Practice: Field Measurement of Surface Profile of Abrasive Blast Cleaned Steel Surfaces Using a Replica Tape
SSPC - the Society for Protective Coatings: SSPC-SP 5, SP 6, SP 10, SP11-87T
ISO - International Organization for Standardization: ISO8503-5
Preparation of steel substrates before application of paints and related products - Surface roughness characteristics of blast-cleaned steel substrates - Part 5: Replica tape method for the determination of the profile.
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