When measuring the coating thickness of bright chrome coatings by means of established methods such as coloumetry, X-ray fluorescence analysis or cross-section measurement, irregularities repeatedly occur. In operational practice, these are often eliminated by empirically determined correction factors. However, this leads to the fact that different layers can no longer be directly compared with each other.
Now, 20 companies want to record these inaccuracies industry-wide in an interlaboratory test and evaluate them neutrally in order to establish comparability. They have joined forces in the Decorative Cr(III) Processes Working Group of the German Society for Electroplating and Surface Technology (DGO). In addition to the twelve metal/plastic coaters and seven specialist companies involved, the testing laboratory of Tritech Oberflächentechnik GmbH is also involved to provide reference values for coating thickness. The official founding meeting of the new working group is to take place before the end of the year. Information on this will be provided by Dr. Daniel Meyer from the DGO office.