Profile is measured in mils with replica tape or a profile depth gauge, and blasted steel for powder typically sits around 1.5 to 3 mils. Coarser media digs deeper. Too little profile weakens adhesion on heavy steel; too much leaves peaks that poke through a thin film and rust first. A common rule keeps total film build at least two to three times the profile depth.
Anchor profile is reading near 4 on the grit, at 3 mils of powder those peaks are going to show.
Also heard as
- profile
- surface profile
- blast profile
Related terms
Blast
To strip and roughen a part with abrasive media before coating, or as a noun, the blast room itself.
Film build
The thickness of the cured coating, usually given in mils or microns.
Mil
One thousandth of an inch, exactly 25.4 microns, the everyday unit for coating thickness in North America.
Zinc-rich primer
Epoxy powder primer loaded with zinc dust to give steel extra corrosion protection under a topcoat.