What's the difference between the BRK CTN-210B, CTN-210C and CTN-300 coating thickness meters?
The CTN-210B, CTN-210C and CTN-300 are all dual-technology coating thickness meters but serve slightly different roles:
CTN-210B
• Professional portable coating thickness meter
• Uses magnetic induction and eddy current measurement
• Designed for coatings on ferrous and non-ferrous metals
• Supports interchangeable probes with ranges up to about 10,000 µm depending on probe type
CTN-210C
• Economical portable coating thickness meter
• Uses magnetic induction and eddy current measurement
• Designed for coatings on ferrous and non-ferrous metals
• Supports interchangeable probes with ranges up to about 10,000 µm depending on probe type
CTN-300
• Advanced modular coating thickness system
• Supports a larger range of specialized probes
• Designed for more complex inspection tasks and curved surfaces
• Measurement range from approximately 3 µm up to 13,000 µm depending on probe configuration
The CTN-210B is often used for routine inspection and QC while the CTN-300 is better suited for advanced industrial measurement applications requiring specialized probes.
What coatings can BRK CTN series meters measure?
BRK CTN series coating thickness gauges measure non-magnetic or non-conductive coatings applied to metal substrates such as:
• Paint and powder coatings
• Chrome nickel or zinc plating
• Anodized coatings on aluminum
• Plastic or enamel coatings on metal
• Protective corrosion coatings
These meters use magnetic induction for steel substrates and eddy current technology for non-ferrous metals like aluminum and copper.
Can the CTN-210B measure coatings on both steel and aluminum?
Yes. The CTN-210B supports both substrate types.
• Magnetic induction mode measures coatings on ferrous metals such as steel or iron
• Eddy current mode measures coatings on non-ferrous metals such as aluminum copper or brass
The meter automatically applies the correct measurement principle depending on the probe used.
Do any BRK coating thickness meters require probes?
Yes. The CTN-300 coating thickness meters use interchangeable probes for different materials and measurement ranges.
For example the CTN-300 supports multiple probe types including:
• F-series probes for ferrous substrates
• N-series probes for non-ferrous substrates
• High-temperature probes
• Right-angle or specialty probes for difficult surfaces
The CTN-300 meter and probes are sold separately so the user can configure the system for a specific inspection task.
What measurement units do BRK coating thickness gauges use?
Most BRK coating thickness meters allow users to select between:
• Microns (µm)
• Mils (thousandths of an inch)
This allows inspectors to follow either international or U.S. coating standards.
What industries use BRK coating thickness meters?
BRK coating thickness gauges are commonly used in:
• Automotive manufacturing and inspection
• Powder coating and paint shops
• Metal plating and electroplating
• Corrosion protection and galvanizing
• Aerospace manufacturing
• Industrial quality control
The CTN-210B in particular is widely used for automotive marine and industrial coating inspection.
What is the BT-T7 or BT-T7A used for?
The BT-T7 and BT-T7A are ultrasonic thickness gauges, not traditional coating thickness meters.
These instruments measure base material thickness through coatings, allowing inspectors to check metal thickness without removing paint or corrosion protection.
Typical applications include:
• Measuring steel thickness through paint
• Corrosion monitoring of tanks or pipelines
• Marine hull inspection
• Structural steel inspection
The BT-T7 can measure coatings through up to about 5 mm of coating thickness depending on the application.
Can coating thickness meters measure paint on plastic or wood?
No. Magnetic induction and eddy current coating thickness meters require a metal substrate.
For non-metal materials such as plastic composites or glass, ultrasonic thickness gauges such as the BT-T7 or BT-T7A may be used instead.
How do I choose the right BRK coating thickness meter?
Choosing the correct instrument depends on the application.
CTN-210B or CTN-210C
Best for general coating inspection on metal parts automotive panels plating or powder coating.
CTN-300
Best for advanced inspections requiring specialized probes curved surfaces or thick industrial coatings.
BT-T7 or BT-T7A
Best for measuring base metal thickness through coatings without removing protective layers.
Do BRK coating thickness meters need calibration?
Yes. Calibration ensures measurement accuracy.
Typical calibration methods include:
• Zero calibration on a bare substrate
• Calibration using certified thickness foils
• Two-point calibration for high accuracy measurement
Most BRK coating thickness meters support automatic calibration routines.
Typical Coating Thickness Specifications
| Application | Typical Thickness |
|---|---|
| Automotive paint systems | 80 to 150 µm |
| Powder coating | 60 to 120 µm |
| Zinc galvanizing | 40 to 200 µm |
| Anodized aluminum | 10 to 25 µm |
| Marine protective coatings | 250 to 500 µm |
Coating Thickness Meter Comparison Chart
| Model | Instrument Type | Primary Use | Measurement Technology | Typical Range | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CTN-210B | Coating thickness gauge | Industrial coating inspection | Magnetic induction and eddy current | Depends on probe up to about 10,000 µm | Interchangeable probes data storage statistics functions |
| CTN-210C | Coating thickness gauge | General paint and coating inspection | Magnetic induction and eddy current | Standard industrial coating ranges | Portable design simple operation dual substrate capability |
| CTN-300 | Advanced coating thickness system | Professional coating inspection with multiple probes | Magnetic induction and eddy current | Approximately 3 µm to 13,000 µm depending on probe | Supports many probe types extended measurement capability advanced statistics |
| BT-T7 | Ultrasonic thickness gauge | Base metal thickness measurement | Ultrasonic pulse echo | About 1 mm to 300 mm depending on material | Measures material thickness through coatings corrosion inspection |
| BT-T7A | Through-coating ultrasonic thickness gauge | Material thickness through coatings | Ultrasonic echo technology | About 0.7 mm to 350 mm | Measures metal thickness without removing paint or coatings |
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