Step Gap Frame

Step Gap Frame

Step Gap Frame is a BYK-Gardner film applicator used to create film applications of coatings, paints, inks, varnishes, adhesives, and other liquid materials with multiple thickness variations in one drawdown. This applicator is highly useful for evaluating changes in opacity, hiding power, color strength, gloss, and appearance based on film thickness differences.

In coating testing, opacity and hiding power evaluation often require comparing different film thicknesses on one substrate. Step Gap Frame supports this process by producing film thicknesses that increase step by step, allowing users to directly observe visual changes from thinner to thicker layers. This method makes formulation, color matching, and quality control more efficient because several thickness conditions can be evaluated in a single application.

Step Gap Frame has 4 clearances with 4 steps for each clearance, producing a total of 16 different film thicknesses. Each step has a 25 mm film width, and the applicator is made from stainless steel to support durability, precision, and easy cleaning. This product is suitable for coating R&D, opacity testing, hiding power evaluation, formulation comparison, batch comparison, paint testing, ink testing, and film application testing according to ASTM D823, ASTM D2486, and ASTM D3258.