Often the ultimate in corrosion protection, a coating presents the paint scientist with a difficult system to test. The use of computer controlled test instruments allows paint to be studied. Our customers test painted samples for disbondment, water uptake, blistering, self inhibition and general failure all of which can be monitored in a scientific and rigorous manner using the ACM Instruments range of equipment.

At ACM we have a background in paint and coating testing prior to our incorporation in 1986. This allows us to understand the special requirements of coating testing. Our customers' preferred instrument for coating testing in the laboratory is the Gill AC for single channel use and the Gill 8 for multiple channel testing. Both instruments perform the same tests, both AC and DC. In the early stages of paint exposure often the only method to achieve any significant electrochemical measurement is AC Impedance (EIS), followed by the DC methods such as current and voltage noise and LPR. The currents measured by the coating scientist are often very low, a few Pico Amps for a good coating. To help our Gill AC customers we developed the Fempto Amp. This extends the sensitivity of the standard instrument by 10,000% by the use of a screened miniature ZRA and very high impedance RE buffer situated near the test cell. The capabilities and ranges of the host instrument are not lost when the Femto Amp (also known as Paint Buffer) is attached to the front panel.

For use away from the laboratory the Field Machine includes all the tests supplied with the lab models but built into a rugged waterproof case that protects both instrument and PC. This is the desired instrument of pipeline scientists. The ability to perform any test that is required, in the pouring rain or baking sun, miles from a mains socket and accompanied by sceptical engineers has put a feather in many a coating scientists hat.

Other ACM Instruments purchased for testing painted samples include the Pot 16, Gal 16 and Pot 16 with Galvanostat for multiple parallel potentiostatic or galvanostatic testing over long periods to study cathodic disbonding and The Parallel 30 LPR, testing 30 painted samples with regular LPR over very long time periods. We have also custom built instruments to perform specific tests, such as 40 channels monitored with AC impedance to look at change in capacitance with time as a result of water uptake into the coating.

For your own commissioned instrument please contact ACM to tell us your requirements, we will quote a price and delivery date within 24 hours.

See Application Notes for more information on AC Impedance (EIS), Current and Voltage Noise and LPR techniques plus many more.

See Downloads for instrumentation datasheets.

Recommended Instrumentation

• Gill AC with FemtoAmp
• Gill 8
• Field Machine
• Pot 16 - Parallel potentiostatic testing
• Gal 16 - Parallel galvanostatic testing
• Pot 16 with Galvanostat - Parallel potentiostatic or galvanostatic testing per channel
• Parallel 30 LPR