During the electroplating process, the thickness of the coating directly affects the corrosion resistance, electrical conductivity, wear resistance and appearance quality of the product. If the coating is too thin, the protective effect will be insufficient. If it is too thick, it will increase costs and even affect assembly performance. Therefore,Film thickness testerIt has become an indispensable testing device in the quality control process of electroplating plants. This article will provide you with a detailed introduction to the significance of coating thickness detection and how to select the appropriate film thickness tester, helping electroplating enterprises enhance product consistency and customer satisfaction.
Electroplating technology is widely applied in fields such as automobiles, electronics, aerospace, and hardware decoration. Take connectors as an example. The thickness of the gold plating layer is usually controlled between 0.1 and 1.0 microns. If it is too thin, it may lead to poor contact; if it is too thick, it will cause waste of precious metals. According to statistics, reasonably controlling the thickness of the coating can save electroplating plants about 8% to 15% of material costs.
In addition, downstream customers are increasingly demanding the uniformity of the coating. Using a professional film thickness tester for multi-point detection can promptly identify problems in the electroplating process, such as uneven current distribution and fluctuations in bath solution composition, thereby reducing the scrap rate and enhancing batch stability.
At present, the commonly used film thickness testers in the electroplating industry are mainly divided into two types: X-ray fluorescence (XRF) coating thickness gauges and light reflection film thickness gauges.
The principle of XRF: By exciting the surface of the sample with X-rays, the characteristic fluorescence intensity produced by the coating elements is measured and converted into a thickness value. It is applicable to the measurement of metal coatings (such as gold, nickel, tin, silver) and multi-layer coatings.
The principle of light reflection: By using white light interference or spectral reflection technology, it is suitable for non-metallic coatings such as transparent or semi-transparent films, oxide films, and electroless coatings. The Filmetrics F20 series film thickness tester, represented by Unicon Technology Co., LTD. (Yiying Technology), adopts the principle of light reflection and can measure the thickness range from 1nm to 3mm with an accuracy of 0.02nm, and the results can be obtained within seconds.
When electroplating plants choose film thickness testers, they should focus on the following four indicators
Measurement range: The thickness of conventional electroplated metal parts is between 0.5 and 50μm, while the F20 series covers 15nm to 70μm, meeting the requirements of the vast majority of scenarios. If thicker coatings (such as anodic oxide films up to several hundred microns) need to be measured, the F20-XT model can be selected, with a range extended to 450μm.
Measurement accuracy: Accuracy determines the credibility of the test results. The accuracy of the F20 series can reach 1nm or 0.2%, which can meet the strict requirements of precision electronic components and automotive parts.
Sample adaptability: Electroplated parts come in various shapes (flat, curved, and small components). The Filmetrics F40 model is equipped with a 1-micron tiny spot, enabling precise measurement of patterned wafers or small areas.
Ease of operation: The factory environment requires a rapid response. The Filmetrics film thickness gauge connects to a computer via USB and is easy to install. The software is equipped with a database of thousands of materials, eliminating the need for complex modeling. Ordinary technicians can operate it proficiently after a short period of training.
Since its establishment in 2012, Unicon Technology Co., LTD. (Yiying Technology) has been dedicated to the field of precision thin film measurement and is the general agent of the Filmetrics brand in China. The company's headquarters is located in Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, Shanghai. It has branches or laboratories in Dongguan, Tianjin, Chengdu, Suzhou and other places, forming a service network covering the whole country.
For electroplating factory customers, Unicon offers a nine-step standardized service: "Communicating requirements → free sample testing → confirming equipment → quotation communication → Contract signing → arranging shipment → Scheduling installation → commissioning training → acceptance". Customers can send samples to the laboratory for free testing to verify the compatibility of the equipment before making a purchasing decision, thereby reducing investment risks.
In terms of after-sales service, Unicon is equipped with a team of senior engineers with rich industry experience, providing 7× 24-hour online support and an 8-hour rapid response mechanism. At the same time, we provide a full range of spare parts supply including light sources, thickness standard plates, probes, etc., as well as value-added services such as equipment maintenance and repair, system integration, official refurbished equipment recycling and sales.
Take an electroplating factory that produces automotive connectors as an example. The factory originally used a destructive slicing method to randomly inspect the thickness of the gold plating layer. Each batch of inspection took about 40 minutes and it was impossible to achieve full inspection. After introducing the Filmetrics F20 film thickness tester, the operator only needs to place the connector terminal on the sample stage, click "Measure", and the coating thickness value will be displayed within 3 seconds. Non-contact measurement avoids damaging the product and simultaneously increases the detection efficiency by nearly 10 times. Through the multi-point automatic mapping function (F50 series), the factory found that the uneven current distribution at both ends of the electroplating tank led to a thinner edge coating. After adjusting the anode layout, the product yield rate increased from 92% to 98.5%.
In today's increasingly competitive electroplating industry, relying on experience to judge the quality of the coating is no longer sufficient to meet customer requirements. A reliable film thickness tester not only helps you precisely control costs and reduce the waste of precious metals, but also demonstrates professional and reliable quality control capabilities to customers. Unicon Technology Co., LTD. (Yiying Technology), as the general agent of Filmetrics film thickness gauges in China, is willing to provide you with one-stop professional services from selection, sample testing to after-sales. Welcome to visit our official websitewww.unicorn-tech.comOr call 400-186-8882 to learn more product details and apply for a free sample test.
Follow Unicon to get more information on thin film measurement technology and application cases.
WeChat Official
Support
