Control Surface Roughness Without Contact
Non-contact roughness control is the only option when the part has undercuts, threads, grooves, or any removal constraint that would lock a rigid replica in place.
Recommended Product
Use F30 Visual for most non-contact surface inspections. It is a Flexible Fluid product that extracts easily from complex shapes and produces a glossy black replica that makes surface defects, scratches, and roughness peaks easier to see on adapted instrument.
When to Use F30 Visual
- The shape has undercuts, threads, or grooves.
- You have a non-contact roughness inspection machine.
- this machine is NOT a white light interferometer.
When F30 Visual Is Not the Right Choice
White-light interferometers work best with light-coloured products. Because F30 Visual is black, it absorbs light and gives poor results on this type of instrument.
If you are using a white-light interferometer, you may choose one of these products instead (We still recommend different test with a Plastiform expert before any serious purchase) :
- F20 : Flexible Fluid, light green color.
- F40 : Flexible Fluid, pure white color.
- F85 : Rigid Fluid when the shape has zero removal constraint only. Light Grey color.
Step-by-Step
- Degrease the surface with DN1 and let it dry.
- Choose the right product.
- Mount the cartridge on the application gun, with nozzle & tip.
- Apply or inject the product so it fully adhere the surface.
- Wait for polymerization.
- Extract carefully. Flexible impressions deform and spring back. pull straight out without rotating.
- Inspect the replica with your optical instrument.
Verification
Compare the replica image with a known good surface or a direct measurement on an accessible reference area. Repeat the impression if the replica shows tears, bubbles, or incomplete wetting.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Likely Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Impression gives poor results on an interferometer | Dark colored surface absorbs white light | Try to switch to F20, F40, or F85 for white-light interferometry or similar technology. |
| Edges look distorted | Impression was extracted by rotation | Pull straight out without twisting |
| Bubbles in the inspected area | Product did not fully wet the surface | Re-degrease and inject more slowly, starting from the deepest point. Keep the tip or nozzle in permanent contact with the surface for the pressure push the product into the details. |
