The Elcometer 122 Testex Replica Tape is a very simple technique to measure a surface profile. The foam side of the Testex Tape is used to mould the peak-to-valley profile of the surface and then the measurement is taken by the Elcometer 124, a mechanical Surface Profile and Thickness Gauge. The Elcometer 124 Thickness gauge has been specifically designed to provide the correct anvil area and measurement force so as not to effect the surface profile reading. The gauge can also be zeroed to offset the original tape window thickness (typically 50µm (2 mils). The Testex Replica Tape is a proof of test, as the tape can be included in manual reports.

Whilst surface comparators provide a useful indication of surface profile the interpretation of the profile is dependent on the user and thus the use of surface comparators to determine surface profile is a subjective test.

Replica Tape, however, produces a numerical value for the surface profile and has the added advantage of providing a ‘proof of test’ as the tape can be included in manual reports (if stored correctly).

The Testex Tape is available in four ranges for different surface profile ranges;

• Coarse minus (C-) (not used in blast profiles)
• Coarse © for 20-38μm (0.8-1.5mils) profiles
• X-Coarse (XC) 64-115μm (2.5-4.5mils), and
• X-Coarse plus (XC+) for profiles between 115-127μm (4.5-5.0mils).