Testex Replica Tape
for Measuring Surface Profile

Testex Replica Tape measures surface profile by creating a replica of the surface, which can be measured using a micrometer

  • Simple technique: place on the surface, press/burnish it into the surface, remove, and measure
  • Proven technique with accuracy and repeatability validated by numerous independent studies
  • Measure using an analog precision micrometer or electronic PosiTector RTR Replica Tape Reader
  • Less than 30 seconds required per test
  • Only surface profile measurement method recognized by ISO, ASTM, and AMPP

Conforms to ASME B46, ASTM D4417, ISO 8503-5, NACE SP287, SSPC-PA 17, SP5, SP6, SP10, SP11-87T, and others

Features

Simple

Durable

  • Option to retain a permanent physical replica of the surface after measurement for archival reporting
  • Withstands nearly any environment, including temperatures up to 60° C
  • Long shelf life with no expiration date
  • Hard-shell plastic case included with Replica Tape, Micrometers, and Kits

Accurate

  • Proven technique with accuracy and repeatability validated by numerous independent studies
  • Quantitative test – no need to interpret or compare measurements
  • Only surface profile measurement method recognized by ISO, ASTM, and AMPP
  • Measures over a relatively large area for high repeatability
  • Generate high-resolution 3D images of the surface using Optical Grade Replica Tape and the PosiTector RTR 3D

Press-O-Film Replica Tape

Testex Press-O-Film Replica Tape consists of a layer of compressible foam affixed to an incompressible polyester substrate of highly uniform thickness. When pressed against a roughened steel surface, the foam collapses and forms an impression of the surface. Placing the compressed Testex tape between the anvils of a micrometer thickness gage and subtracting the thickness of the incompressible substrate gives a measure of the surface profile.

Each roll of Testex Tape includes 50 pieces (impressions).

Conventional Testex Press-O-Film Tape Grades

Testex Press-O-Film replica tape is available in a variety of thickness ranges for measuring substrate roughness. The primary range for measurement with replica tape is 20 to 115 µm (0.8 to 4.5 mils). Use of Coarse Minus grade (<20 µm or <0.8 mil) or X-Coarse Plus grade tape (>115 µm or >4.5 mils) should primarily be restricted to checking measurements at the lower and upper ends of the primary range.

Order Code
Grade
Range
Measurement Tool
RTCMIN
Coarse Minus
0.5 to 1.0 mils     12 to 25 µm
Testex Micrometer
    or
PosiTector RTR H
RTC
Coarse
0.8 to 2.5 mils     20 to 64 µm
RTXC
X-Coarse
1.5 to 4.5 mils     38 to 115 µm
RTXCPLUS
X-Coarse Plus
4.6 to 5.0 mils     116 to 127 µm

Optical Grade Testex Press-O-Film Tape Grades

Testex Press-O-Film Optical Grade replica tape, when used with PosiTector RTR 3D models, provides higher quality surface data files (.SDF) than conventional replica tape. Optical Grade Replica Tape is available in Coarse or X-Coarse.

Order Code
Grade
Range
Measurement Tool
RTCOG
Optical Grade Coarse
0.8 to 2.5 mils     20 to 64 µm
PosiTector RTR 3D
RTXCOG
Optical Grade X-Coarse
1.5 to 4.5 mils     38 to 115 µm

Micrometers

A variety of micrometer thickness gages are available for measuring blast steel profile using Replica Tape. Select from dial thickness gages (snap gages) and digital replica tape readers.

Dial Thickness Gages

Testex Micrometer Dial Thickness Gages measure the surface roughness of blast cleaned surfaces. They are the only gages specifically designed for use with replica tape having the correct accuracy, closing force, anvil/contact point dimensions, and parallelism specifications required for accurate measurement of replica tape.

Includes choice of snap gage, plastic burnishing tool, instructions, carrying case, and one (1) year warranty.

Order Code
Description
Units
Certified
RTMMIL
Testex Micrometer Dial Thickness Gage
Mils
No
RTMMILCERT
Testex Micrometer Dial Thickness Gage — Certified
Mils
Yes
RTMMIC
Testex Micrometer Dial Thickness Gage
Microns
No
RTMMICCERT
Testex Micrometer Dial Thickness Gage — Certified
Microns
Yes
RTMMILLIN
Testex Micrometer Dial Thickness Gage — Linearized
Mils
No

Digital Replica Tape Readers

Replica tape readers, such as the PosiTector RTR H and PosiTector RTR 3D, use Testex Press-O-Film replica tape to measure and record surface profile parameters.

All gages come complete with stainless steel burnishing tool, 5 cleaning cards, check shim(s), surface cleaning putty, protective rubber holster, wrist strap, 3 AAA alkaline batteries, instructions, nylon carrying case with shoulder strap, protective lens shield, Long Form Certificate of Calibration traceable to PTB, USB cable, PosiSoft Software, two (2) year warranty on body and probe.

PosiTector RTR H Replica Tape Reader

Digital spring micrometers measure and record surface profile parameters using Testex Press-O-Film replica tape—producing a more accurate peak-to-valley surface profile height measurement for blasted steel and textured coatings.

Visit the PosiTector RTR H
Product Page to Learn More

PosiTector RTR 3D Replica Tape Imager

Digital replica tape imagers measure and record peak height, peak density, and 14 common 2D/3D surface profile parameters (Ra, Rq, Rz, Rp, ­Rv, Rt, Rpc [2D], and Sa, Sq, Sz, Sp, Sv, and Spd [3D]) using Testex Press-O-Film™ replica tape. Download high resolution .SDF files for further analysis (Advanced models only).

Visit the PosiTector RTR 3D
Product Page to Learn More
Image of PosiTector RTR H with tape in the anvil openings and PosiTector RTR 3D with a 3D render behind it

Replica Tape Kits

Testex Micrometer Dial Thickness Gage Kits include everything required to measure the surface profile using replica tape. Includes choice of snap gage, two rolls of Testex Press-O-Film tape (Coarse and X-Coarse), training surface of known roughness, burnishing tool, and complete instructions.

Select from 4 Dial Thickness Gage Kit options:

Order Code
Description
Units
Certified
RTKITMIL
Testex Micrometer Dial Thickness Gage
Mils
No
RTKITMILCERT
Testex Micrometer Dial Thickness Gage — Certified
Mils
Yes
RTKITMIC
Testex Micrometer Dial Thickness Gage
Microns
No
RTKITMICCERT
Testex Micrometer Dial Thickness Gage — Certified
Microns
Yes
Image of complete Testex tape kit with micrometer

How It Works

prepare the surface with cleaning putty

1

Prepare

Clean the surface with a putty to remove dust and other contaminants.

Use cleaning putty to remove dust, debris, or residual blast media from the measurement site by firmly pressing the putty onto the surface to be tested using your fingers and remove.

burnish the replica tape

2

Burnish

Select the appropriate grade of replica tape, then pull a single piece of tape free of its release paper and apply to blasted surface.

Firmly compress replica film using burnishing tool by applying sufficient pressure in a circular and x-y rubbing motion. When complete, remove tape from surface.

measure with PosiTector RTR

3

Measure

Insert the compressed replica tape between the micrometer's measurement anvils and take a reading.

Ensure the tape is properly positioned so that the burnished region is centered in the anvils with the adhesive side down.

Illustration of the 3 main steps to burnishing replica tape and taking a surface profile reading

F.A.Q.

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What is replica tape?

Testex Press-O-Film replica tape consists of a layer of crushable plastic microfoam coated onto polyester film of highly uniform thickness. It is sold in a number of grades to accommodate measurements in different profile ranges.

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What is Press-O-Film HT?

Testex Press-O-Film HT is an improved version of Press-O-Film (discontinued in 2010). Press-O-Film HT (High Temperature) is formulated for better performance at high temperatures (up to 140°F or 60° C) encountered in the most challenging environments.

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How does replica tape work?

Replica tape consists of a layer of compressible foam affixed to an incompressible polyester substrate. When pressed against a roughened (steel) surface, the foam collapses acquiring an impression of the surface. Placing the compressed tape between the anvils of a micrometric thickness gage, and subtracting the contribution of the incompressible substrate (50 µm or 2 mils), gives a measure of the surface profile. Consequently, the thickness of the compressed tape equals the average maximum peak-to-valley profile plus the thickness of the incompressible polyester substrate. A spring-loaded micrometer gage is used to measure the thickness of the replica.

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How accurate is Testex Press-O-Film Replica Tape?

There are multiple ways of expressing the accuracy or precision of an instrument or test method. The most common method in our industry is to measure on traceable standards in a calibration laboratory. This is challenging for surface profile measurement instruments because no traceable surface profile standards exist. For some instruments, such as depth micrometers (ASTM D4417 Method B), accuracy can be estimated using calibrated height standards. For replica tape, the ASTM D01.46 committee used a set of panels blasted with a range of surface profiles, and compared the results from replica tape against measurements taken on the same panels using a calibrated drag stylus micrometer (ASTM D4417 Method D). Across the 0.8-4.5 mil (20-115 micron) primary range of replica tape, the readings differed by less than ± 0.3 mils (± 9 microns), as summarized in the table below.

However, this tests the accuracy of the instrument or apparatus, but not necessarily the overall test method. For most users, it is more important that measurements are consistent between the various parties (for example, the specifier or contract author, the contractor, and the inspector). Because blasted surfaces are complex, random shapes, the ability of an instrument to measure height in a laboratory is not necessarily indicative of its ability to measure surface profile in a consistent, repeatable manner in the field.

In 2011 the ASTM D01.46 committee preformed an interlaboratory study, which measured the reproducibility of measurements made by multiple users and laboratories (stated as the range that 95% of measurements from all operators across all laboratories fall within). The results are summarized as follows:

The accuracy/reproducibility values are specified at 3 mils in the above table, and typically vary across the range of an instrument. For Replica Tape:

In summary, independent studies have shown that Testex Press-O-Film replica tape is a highly accurate measurement method with industry-leading reproducibility.

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Why is measuring surface profile important?

Industrial steel in bridges, ships, railcars, etc., is almost always painted or otherwise coated to prevent corrosion. Before they can be painted, these metal surfaces must be cleaned and roughened to ensure that the paint adheres. This is usually done by grit or shot blasting the surface. If the resulting surface is too smooth, the paint or coating will not stick. If the surface is too rough, the peaks may poke through the coating allowing rusting to occur.

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Is it necessary to average the measurements from two pieces of replica tape?

Most international standards instruct users of replica tape to take two replica tape readings in each measurement area, and average those two readings together to yield a 'Profile Measurement'. As with any test, averaging multiple readings improves repeatability and accuracy.

If a reading made with either Coarse or X-Coarse replica tape is in the 'overlap range' of 38 to 64 µm (1.5 to 2.5 mils), a second reading should be taken in the same spot with the other grade of tape. If BOTH readings are in the above Overlap Range, record the average of the two readings as the ‘Profile Measurement’. If EITHER reading is outside of the Overlap Range, record it as the first reading and take a second reading with the same grade of replica tape. Average those two readings together to yield a 'Profile Measurement'.

For more information, consult the Testex Press-O-Film Replica Tape Instruction manual.

Accessories

Image of plastic burnishing tool by Testex
Burnishing Tool
RTBURNISHPL

Round-end plastic rubbing tool to compress replica film on the blasted surface

Image of Testex Press-O-Film Training Surface - front and back
Training Surface
STDRT

Contains a pattern with a known peak-to-valley profile height, to learn and verify correct measurement technique

Testex Shim Set
STDRTSHIMS

Used to verify the accuracy and operation of Testex and other spring micrometer replica tape readers

Surface Cleaning Putty
RTRPUTTY

To clean the surface of debris prior to burnishing

Resources