DeFelsko Surface Profile

Why is Surface Profile Measurement Important?
Steel is often abrasive-blast cleaned or otherwise roughened prior to painting. The peak-to-valley height of the resultant "surface profile" is a critical and determining factor in the performance of applied paint and other protective coatings. A surface profile height that is too low may reduce coating bond strength (adhesion). Too high and the peaks may receive insufficient coverage leading to premature rusting, and often require additional paint (and labor costs to apply it) to cover the anchor profile.

Emerging research over the past 15 years has shown surface profile height is not the only important parameter. Peak density (also known as peak count), the number of peaks in the surface profile per unit area, has been shown to be a strong determinant of coating adhesion and resistance to corrosion. In fact, studies have found that peak density may be a better predictor of coating performance than peak-to-valley height.  

Surface profile height can also be relevant for other industries, as a way to quantify the profile height of non-skid surfaces, and to evaluate the Concrete Surface Profile (CSP) prior to applying coatings on concrete.