Elcometer 3505 User manual

English
Elcometer
3505 • 3600 • 3700
3800 • 3805
Film Applicators
Operating Instructions

English
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is a registered trademark of Elcometer Instruments Ltd.
All other trademarks acknowledged.
© Copyright Elcometer Instruments Ltd. 2006- 2008.
All rights reserved. No part of this Document may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored (in a retrieval
system or otherwise) or translated into any language, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical,
magnetic, optical, manual or otherwise) without the prior written permission of Elcometer Instruments Ltd.
A copy of this Instruction Manual is available for dowloand on our Website via
www.elcometer.com/download
Doc.No. TMA-0350 Issue 03
Text with Cover No: 19688

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CONTENTS
Section Page
1 About this instrument. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2 Setting the blade gap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
3 Application procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
4 Cleaning After application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
5 Wet film thickness. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
6 Storage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
7 Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
8 Technical specification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
9 Spare parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
10 Product range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
11 Related Elcometer equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

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Thank you for your purchase of this Elcometer Film Applicator. Welcome to Elcometer.
Elcometer are world leaders in the design, manufacture and supply of inspection equipment for coatings
and concrete. Our products cover all aspects of coating inspection, from development through application
to post application inspection.
This Elcometer Film Applicator is a world beating product. With the purchase of this product you now have
access to the worldwide service and support network of Elcometer. For more information visit our website
at www.elcometer.com
1 ABOUT THIS INSTRUMENT
The Elcometer Film Applicator is a simple but effective instrument for applying a uniform and reproducible
film of product to a flat and relatively firm substrate.
The applicator is set to the required gap and then placed on the substrate
a
. Product is poured onto the
substrate either in front of the blade, or into the reservoir of models which have this feature. The applicator
is then pushed across the substrate
a
by hand or by a motorised film applicator to produce the film.
1.1 STANDARDS
Depending upon model, Elcometer film applicators can be used in accordance with the following National
and International Standards: ASTM D 823, FTMS 141aM4121, FTMS 141a4122.1, FTMS 141a2161, FTMS
141a2162, FTMS 141a6226, FTMS 141a4121 and FTMS 141M6226.
a. Elcometer 3800/3805 models are loaded with a contrast sheet. The contrast sheet is pulled out of the applicator by
hand to produce 2 or 3 strips of product on the sheet.

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1.2 THESE INSTRUCTIONS
These instructions describe the use of the following Doctor Blade Film Applicators:
1.3 WHAT THE BOX CONTAINS
Elcometer Film Applicator
Set of thickness gauges
b
Hexagonal wrench (not included with 3600)
Coated contrast sheets x 100 (3800/3805 only) Storage case
Operating instructions
Your Elcometer Film Applicator is packed in a cardboard and foam package. Please ensure that this
packaging is disposed of in an environmentally sensitive manner. Consult your local Environmental
Authority for further guidance.
b. Elcometer 3505/2, 3600/4, 3600/5, 3600/6, 3700/1 and 3700/2 are all supplies with two sets of thickness gauges
Elcometer 3505
Cube applicator
1 or 5 strip
Elcometer 3600
Film applicator
Elcometer 3700
Film applicator
with reservoir
Elcometer 3800/3805
Film applicator
2 or 3 strip

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2 SETTING THE BLADE GAP
Take care while you are handling and using your Elcometer Film Applicator. Damage to the working
surfaces will affect the film thickness and the instrument may have to be replaced.
1. 3600: Rotate the two blade retaining knobs to loosen the blade.
3505/3700/3800/3805: Use the hexagonal wrench to loosen the two blade retaining screws.
2. 3505/3600/3700: Place the applicator on a flat and clean reference surface such as a glass plate.
3. For 3505/1, 3600/1, 3600/2, 3600/3, 3700/3, 3800/1 and 3805/1
detach the appropriate thickness gauge from the set and slide it
under the centre of the blade; ensure that the gauge is under the
blade only and not the body of the applicator as well.
For 3505/2, 3600/4, 3600/5, 3600/6, 3700/1 3700/2 detach the
appropriate thickness gauge from each of the two sets and sldie the
gauges under the blade at each side; ensure that the gauge is under
the blade only and not the body of the applicator as well.
4. Press down firmly on the blade and the body of the applicator
ensuring that the blade is flat against the thickness gauge.

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5. 3600: Keeping downward pressure on the blade and applicator, rotate
the two knobs to tighten the blade.
3505/3700/3800/3805: Keeping downward pressure on the blade and
applicator, tighten the two blade retaining screws.
6. Use the thickness gauges to confirm that the blade is set to the correct
gap. Adjust if necessary.
The applicator is now ready for use.
3 APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Before each use, check the working surfaces for irregularities and damage.
3505/3600/3700
1. Fix a clean substrate on a flat and horizontal base such as a vacuum table.
2. 3505 only: If applying a film to a glass substrate, fit the guide plate to the side of the applicator.
3. Place the applicator down at one end of the substrate. The applicator should be positioned with the
blade facing away from the direction of travel.
4. 3600: Spread sufficient product on the substrate over a width slightly smaller than the internal width of
the applicator.
3505/3700: Pour a quantitiy of product into the reservoir of the applicator ensuring that the product is
evenly distributed over the whole width of the reservoir.

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5. Spread the film by moving the applicator towards the
opposite end of the substrate at a constant speed.
6. Lift the applicator from the substrate taking care to catch any
product dripping from the applicator before it lands on the
newly prepared film.
3800/3805
1. Place a clean contrast sheet into the applicator and feed it
under the blade assembly.
2. Pour a quantitiy of product into each of the reservoirs of the applicator ensuring
the product is evenly distributed over the width of each reservoir.
3. Apply gentle downward pressure on the blade assembly and pull the contrast
sheet out of the instrument at a constant speed to spread the film strips.
4 CLEANING AFTER APPLICATION
After cleaning, ensure that all materials are removed and that the instrument is dry. Use the case provided
to store the instrument when it is not being used.
Do not use very aggressive solvents or
wire brushes, metal scrapers, metal files or
other metallic tools for cleaning.
Clean the applicator using a suitable
solvent.

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5 WET FILM THICKNESS
The thickness of the film produced by your applicator depends on many factors including; the speed of film
application, applicator blade gap setting, surface tension and the viscosity of the product.
6 STORAGE
When stainless steel applicators and the thickness gauges are not being used they must be protected from
rust. Rust can appear when stainless steel instruments are used occasionally and when they have been
handled by users with sweaty hands.
To protect against rust, always dry stainless steel applicators and the thickness gauges after use and apply
a thin layer of oil to the surface before storage. Elcometer recommends the use of an oil which does not
harden during drying such as Castrol Rustilo DW 378.
Always store the applicator and thickness gauges in the case provided.
7 MAINTENANCE
The Elcometer Film Applicator is designed to give many years reliable service under normal operating and
storage conditions.
Regular calibration checks over the life of the thickness gauges are a requirement of quality management
procedures e.g. ISO 9000 and other standards. For checks and certification contact Elcometer or your local
supplier.

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8 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
Material: Hardened stainless steel/anodised aluminium
Range 3505: 0 µm to 2000 µm (0 mils to 80 mils)
3600: 0 µm to 3000 µm (0 mils to 120 mils)
3700: 0 µm to 4000 µm (0 mils to 160 mils)
3800/3805: 0 µm to 2500 µm (0 mils to 100 mils)
Set of 19 thickness gauges: 30 µm to 1000 µm (1 mil to 40 mils)
Contrast sheet: 210 mm x 75 mm (8.25" x 3") (3800/3805 only)
9 SPARE PARTS
The following spare sets of 19 thickness gauges are available for your Elcometer Film Applicator:
30 µm to 1000 µm, metric: KT003600P001
1 mil to 40 mils, imperial: KTUS3600P001

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10 PRODUCT RANGE
Model Film
strips
Strip width Part number
(mm) (inch) Metric Imperial
3505
3505/1 1 12 0.5 K0003505M001 K0US3505M001
3505/2 5 12 0.5 K0003505M202 K0US3505M202
3600
3600/1 1 50 2 K0003600M201 K0US3600M201
3600/2 1 75 3 K0003600M002 K0US3600M002
3600/3 1 100 4 K0003600M203 K0US3600M203
3600/4 1 150 6 K0003600M204 K0US3600M204
3600/5 1 200 8 K0003600M205 K0US3600M205
3600/6 1 225 9 K0003600M206 K0US3600M206
3700
3700/3 1 80 4 K0003700M203 K0US3700M203
3700/2 1 180 8 K0003700M002 K0US3700M002
3700/1 1 250 10 K0003700M001 K0US3700M001
3800 3805
3800/1
a
a. Overall internal width: 75 mm (3")
2 28 1.0 K0003800M001 K0US3800M001
3805/1
a
3 18 0.7 K0003805M001 K0US3805M001

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11 RELATED ELCOMETER EQUIPMENT
Elcometer produces a wide range of coatings inspection gauges and related equipment.
Users of this Elcometer Film Applicator may also benefit from the following Elcometer products:
• Elcometer Fineness of Grind Gauges
• Elcometer Viscosity Meters
• Elcometer Motorised Film Applicators
• Elcometer Leneta Test Charts
• Elcometer Drying Time Recorders
• Elcometer Washability, Brushability and Abrasion Testers
• Elcometer Hardness Testers
For further information contact Elcometer, your local supplier or visit www.elcometer.com