Dry film thicknessDFT

The thickness of a coating film measured immediately after application, before solvent loss or curing, typically using a comb gauge. Together with the coating's volume solids it allows the applicator to predict and control the final dry film thickness.

A layer of material applied to a substrate to protect it, decorate it or give it specific functional properties. In protective applications the coating is the main barrier against corrosion, weathering, chemical attack and abrasion, and is usually built up as a system of primer, intermediate and finish coats.

An additional coat of paint applied by brush or roller to welds, edges, corners, bolt heads and other irregular details where sprayed coatings tend to pull thin. Stripe coating is standard practice in high performance protective coating specifications.

A discontinuity in a protective coating, such as a pinhole, void, crack or excessively thin spot, that exposes the substrate to the environment. Holidays are located with low voltage wet sponge or high voltage spark test instruments, particularly on pipeline coatings and tank linings.