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Industrial Sandblasting Surface Profile Gauge Buying Guide

BlastOne carries the top line surface profile gauges from top brands like DeFelsko® and Testex. Whether you are seeking to measure blasted steel, concrete or textured coatings, 2D or 3D, electronically or manually – we have the gauge for you. With a price to fit every budget.

Name	Description	Best Scenarios	Benefits	Disadvantages	Standards
DEFELSKO® POSITECTOR® SPG SURFACE PROFILE GAUGE PROBE	Integral Digital Depth Micrometer for Blasted Steel	Blasted steel On-site use When large numbers of readings are required in a short time Integral probe for one-handed use	60° tip angle 30° tip angle (available) Solvent, acid, oil, water, and dust resistant (weatherproof) Can achieve up to 50 readings/ minute, making it perfect to quickly and accurately measure big surfaces Durability of probe	Is a spot measurement rather than an area measurement	ASTM D4417 BASTM D8271 (SPG TS only) AS 3894.5-C (with optional 30° tip) US Navy NSI 009-32 Navy NAVSEA 009-32 US Navy NAVSEA PPI 63101-000 SSPC PA 17 SANS 5772 and more
DEFELSKO® POSITECTOR® SPGS PROBE – CABLED	Cabled Digital Depth Micrometer for Blasted Steel	On-site use When large numbers of readings are required in a short time Cabled probe for use in extended reach measuring	Cable extends the reach of the probe from the gauge body. Ideal where the inspector has to reach to get a reading	Time required to place and burnish test strip	ASTM D4417 ISO 8503-5 NACE RP287 SSPC-PA 17 SSPC-SP5, SP6, SP10, SP11-87T and more
DEFELSKO® POSITECTOR® REPLICA TAPE READER (RTR–PROBE ONLY)	Replica Tape Reader for Blasted Steel and Textured Coatings	For use where an Inspector has a preference for replica tape, rather than a depth gauge or drag stylus	Provides more accurate peak-to-valley height measurement Used test Testex tapes can be retained on file with other quality inspection records for reference	Time required to place and burnish test strip	ASTM D4417 ISO 8503-5 NACE RP287 SSPC-PA 17 SSPC-SP5, SP6, SP10, SP11-87T and more
DEFELSKO® 3D REPLICA TAPE READER	Replica Tape Reader for 2D/3D Surface Profile Parameters	Works with Flat, curved, or irregular surfaces For use where either standards or facility management call for reporting in 2D or 3D format For use where an Inspector has a preference for replica tape, rather than a depth gauge or drag stylus	Displays 2D & 3D parameters of replica tape within seconds of burnishing	Time required to place and burnish test strip	ASME B46 ASTM D4417 ISO 8503-5 NACE SP287 SSPC-PA 17, SSPC-SP5, SP6, SP10, SP11-87T and more
DEFELSKO® POSITECTOR®SPGTS SURFACE PROFILE GAUGE PROBE	Integral Digital Depth Micrometer for Concrete	Ideal measurement tool for surface profile of concrete created by blasting, scarifying, grinding, etching Range: 0 – 6350µm	60° tip angle Ability to measure up to 6350µm/6 mm. Necessary for measuring profile on concrete. Very limited alternative.	Not a accurate on the lower end of range of measurement capabilities	ASTM D8271
TESTEX SURFACE PROFILE DIAL THICKNESS GAUGE – MICRONS	Testex Analog Spring Micrometer	Can measure from 20.32µm – 162.56µm Legacy replica tape system For use where an Inspector has a preference for replica tape, rather than a depth gauge or drag stylus.	The original replica tape system. In use internationally for decades. Remains a reliable source of profile data.	Increased possibility of human error when reading a dial gauge rather than LED screen. Time required to place and burnish test strip.	ISO8503-5, AS3894-5 AS1627-4


	DEFELSKO® POSITECTOR ® SPG SURFACE PROFILE GAUGE PROBE	DEFELSKO® POSITECTOR® SPGS PROBE – CABLED	DEFELSKO® POSITECTOR® REPLICA TAPE READER (RTR – PROBE ONLY)	DEFELSKO® 3D REPLICA TAPE READER	DEFELSKO® POSITECTOR ® SPGTS SURFACE PROFILE GAUGE PROBE	TESTEX SURFACE PROFILE DIAL THICKNESS GAUGE – MICRONS
Description	Integral Digital Depth Micrometer for Blasted Steel	Cabled Digital Depth Micrometer for Blasted Steel	Replica Tape Reader for Blasted Steel and Textured Coatings	Replica Tape Reader for 2D/3D Surface Profile Parameters	Integral Digital Depth Micrometer for Concrete	Testex Analog Spring Micrometer
Best Scenarios	Blasted steel On-site use When large numbers of readings are required in a short time Integral probe for one-handed use	On-site use When large numbers of readings are required in a short time Cabled probe for use in extended reach measuring	For use where an Inspector has a preference for replica tape, rather than a depth gauge or drag stylus	Works with Flat, curved, or irregular surfaces For use where either standards or facility management call for reporting in 2D or 3D format For use where an Inspector has a preference for replica tape, rather than a depth gauge or drag stylus	Ideal measurement tool for surface profile of concrete created by blasting, scarifying, grinding, etching Range: 0 – 6350µm	Can measure from 20.32µm – 162.56µm Legacy replica tape system For use where an Inspector has a preference for replica tape, rather than a depth gauge or drag stylus.
Benefits	60° tip angle 30° tip angle (available) Solvent, acid, oil, water, and dust resistant (weatherproof) Can achieve up to 50 readings/ minute, making it perfect to quickly and accurately measure big surfaces Durability of probe	Cable extends the reach of the probe from the gauge body. Ideal where the inspector has to reach to get a reading.	Provides more accurate peak-to-valley height measurement Used test Testex tapes can be retained on file with other quality inspection records for reference	Displays 2D & 3D parameters of replica tape within seconds of burnishing	60° tip angle Ability to measure up to 6350µm/6mm. Necessary for measuring profile on concrete. Very limited alternative.	The original replica tape system. In use internationally for decades. Remains a reliable source of profile data.
Disadvantages	Is a spot measurement rather than an area measurement	Time required to place and burnish test strip.	Time required to place and burnish test strip.	Time required to place and burnish test strip.	Not a accurate on the lower end of range of measurement capabilities	Increased possibility of human error when reading a dial gauge rather than LED screen. Time required to place and burnish test strip.
Standards	ASTM D4417 BASTM D8271 (SPG TS only) AS 3894.5-C (with optional 30° tip) US Navy NSI 009-32 Navy NAVSEA 009-32 US Navy NAVSEA PPI 63101-000 SSPC PA 17 SANS 5772 and more	ASTM D4417 ISO 8503-5 NACE RP287 SSPC-PA 17 SSPC-SP5, SP6, SP10, SP11-87T and more	ASTM D4417 ISO 8503-5 NACE RP287 SSPC-PA 17 SSPC-SP5, SP6, SP10, SP11-87T and more	ASME B46 ASTM D4417 ISO 8503-5 NACE SP287 SSPC-PA 17, SSPC-SP5, SP6, SP10, SP11-87T and more	ASTM D8271	ISO8503-5, AS3894-5 AS1627-4

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Why use a surface profile gauge?

A variety of problems can arise from incorrect surface profiles. Both too much and too little can be problems. If there is insufficient profile then coating adhesion may be compromised. This is more pronounced with high-build industrial coatings. Too much profile and you risk rogue peaks. These can have very little coating film cover and risk initiating corrosion issues. Over profile can also increase paint consumption. This is a problem with thinner build coatings such as finishing coatings. Surface profile is affected by many factors including abrasive type, abrasive size, quantity of abrasive recycles, blast angle, nozzle distance, nozzle pressure, as well as substrate conditions. Both facility management and coating suppliers can specify profile. Ask them prior to starting work what their specifications are.

Common issues with surface profile gauges

A depth micrometer is fast but it is a spot measurement only not a view of an area and the full range of highs and lows.

A profile tape reader gives a bigger picture (with some models able to provide a 3D magnification of the test area) but it takes time to apply the tape and burnish it. There is also the ongoing cost of the test strips.

The moving stylus type of profile gauge provides similar capabilities to a profile tape system but the stylus is quite delicate and is best suited to laboratory use.

Important considerations when choosing the right surface profile gauge

As in many coating inspections systems there are trade-offs to consider.

Do you need to take a large number of readings quickly? A depth gauge type has the highest testing rate but provides a limited view.

Are you working on-site? The depth gauge type is the most robust. The moving stylus type provides a greater picture but is more fragile.

Want to get a panoramic view rather than a spot image, but you’re working in the field? The profile gauge type unit is more robust than the moving stylus, but it takes longer to stick the test pieces down and burnish them than other methods and there is the ongoing costs of the test strips.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are surface profile gauges calibrated in the factory?

Surface profile gauges arrive fully calibrated and ready to measure. A Long-Form Certificate of Calibration traceable to NIST or PTB should be included, this documents actual readings taken by your instrument at the calibration laboratory on standards traceable to a national meteorology institute. Beware of ‘Certificates’ or ‘Certificates of Conformance’ offered by seemingly low-coast suppliers. These typically do not include actual instrument readings, and are often insufficient to meet common quality requirements.

Gauge accuracy and correct operation can be verified using the included metal shim and glass zero plate.
Can I measure curved surfaces with a profile gauge?
Yes, it is possible to measure the peak-to-valley surface profile height of convex abrasive blast cleaned surfaces such as pipes and tanks.

The PosiTector SPG OS probe features an integral V-groove and optional Large V-groove Adapter to assist with proper probe positioning on cylindrical parts. Simply align the V-groove along the axis of the curved surface using the notches on the probe face and/or the indicator arrows on the face of the adapter.
Can the surface profile gauges be used on non-metallic substrates?
Yes! While primarily used to measure blasted steel, surface profile gauges can be used for many applications. Some gauges also feature an extended range and larger radius probe tip to suit a wide range of applications. Including…
- the surface profile of textured coatings.
- the surface profile of concrete.
Why are there 30˚ and 60˚ tips for the PosiTector SPG?
The PosiTector SPG uses a durable tungsten carbide tip for long life and continuous accuracy. If required, SPG probe tips can be replaced by the gauge operator.

The 60° tip complies with most test standards including ASTM D 4417 B.
30° tips are available for conformance to Australian standard AS 3994.5-C.
How often should surface profile be re-calibrated?
Quality surface profile gauges include a Certificate of Calibration showing traceability to NIST or PTB included (Long Form) with each probe—with no expiry or end date. They have no shelf life, therefore the length of time in the field is not a good indicator for recalibration intervals. Many organizations with quality programs and recertification programs require annual re-calibrations, and this is a good starting point for most users. It is recommended that customers establish calibration intervals based upon their own experience and work environment. A one year calibration interval from the date the instrument was placed in service is a good starting point.

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Industrial Sandblasting Surface Profile Gauge Buying Guide