Testex Press-O-Film Replica Tape

The Testex Press-O-Film Replica is a handy tool for measuring the profile (texture) of blasted steel surfaces. Industrial steel relies on a protective layer to fight rust and corrosion. But before applying this coating, the metal needs a special preparation process. This involves cleaning and creating a textured surface, typically done with blasting techniques like grit or shot blasting. It's a balancing act: a surface that's too smooth won't hold the paint well, while one that's too rough can trap moisture and lead to rust under the coating.

Enter the Testex Replica Tape. This innovative tool tackles the challenge of achieving the perfect surface texture. It works by creating a precise replica of the blasted surface. This replica can then be measured with a micrometer, providing accurate data on the roughness and texture. With the Testex Replica Tape, ensuring surfaces meet the exact requirements for optimal paint adhesion and preventing corrosion becomes a breeze. This translates to reliable quality control across various industrial applications. It's particularly useful for adhering to standards like ASTM D4417.

Key benefits:

• Simple and accurate: Provides a quick and easy way to measure surface profile according to industry standards.
• Portable: The compact size makes it ideal for field applications.
• Versatile: Available in various thicknesses to accommodate different profile ranges.

Typical applications:

• Measuring blasted steel surfaces for coating adhesion
• Quality control in sandblasting operations
• Ensuring proper surface preparation before painting

Advantages of this method:

• Simple technique: place on the surface, press/burnish it into the surface, remove, and measure
• Proven technique with accuracy and repeatability validated by numerous independent studies
• Measure using an analog precision micrometer or electronic PosiTector RTR H Replica Tape Reader
• Less than 30 seconds required per test
• Only surface profile measurement method recognized by ISO, ASTM, and AMPP
• Conforms to ASME B46, ASTM D4417, ISO 8503-5, NACE SP287, SSPC-PA 17, SP5, SP6, SP10, SP11-87T, and others

The Testex Press O Film Replica Tape consists of a layer of compressible foam affixed to an incompressible polyester substrate of highly uniform thickness. When pressed against a roughened steel surface, the foam collapses and forms an impression of the surface. Placing the compressed Testex tape between the anvils of a micrometric thickness gage such as the PosiTector RTR H Replica Tape Reader and subtracting the contribution of the incompressible substrate gives a measure of the surface profile

Optical Grade XC Testex Replica Tape are also available. This tape provides higher quality SDF surface data files than conventional replica tape. It is to be used with the PosiTector RTR 3D models.

Each roll of Testex Tape includes 50 pieces of Impressions.

How It Works?

Step 1

Prepare the surface prior to application. Let's ensure surface cleanliness by using putty to eliminate dust and other impurities. Utilize cleaning putty to eliminate dust, debris, or any remaining blast media from the measurement site. Gently press the putty onto the test surface with your fingers, then remove it to achieve a clean surface.

Step 2

Choose the suitable grade of replica tape, then peel a single piece from its release paper and affix it to the blasted surface. Next, firmly press the replica film onto the surface using a burnishing tool, applying ample pressure in a circular and horizontal rubbing motion. Once done, detach the tape from the surface.

Step 3

Place the compressed replica tape between the measurement anvils of the micrometer and record a measurement. Verify that the tape is correctly oriented, with the burnished area centered between the anvils and the adhesive side facing downward.

This is an illustration of the tape surface of the entire process.