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TQC Sheen’s extensive range of Spiral Bar applicators are designed to be used for film application and drawdown. For custom-sized spiral bar applicators, click here for options.
Price range: £133.00 through £173.00 Ex. VAT
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Brought to you by TQC Sheen, our paint testing specialist brand, our range of spiral bar applicators and drawdown bars helps to ensure the quality and consistency of paints, coatings and other liquids.
The TQC Sheen Spiral Bar Applicator is also known as wire bar coaters, drawdown bars, drawdown rods, rakel bars, or coaters – and there are a number of sizes to choose from.
Our range of spiral bar applicators and drawdown bars is available in film width options from 180, 230, 250, and 320 mm, with gap sizes from 0 through to 300 µm.
All are made from stainless steel, so they are built to last and with extreme care.
| Spiral Bar Applicators | |||||
| Film width | |||||
| Gap sizes | 180 mm | 230 mm | 250 mm | 320 mm | |
| 0 µm | SH0632 | AB3742 | – | AB3070 | |
| 4 µm | SH0168 | AB3720 | VF0100 | AB3050 | |
| 6 µm | SH0232 | AB3721 | VF0101 | AB3051 | |
| 8 µm | – | AB3722 | VF0102 | AB3052 | |
| 10 µm | SH0631 | AB3723 | VF0103 | AB3053 | |
| 12 µm | SH0676 | AB3724 | – | AB3054 | |
| 14 µm | SH0700 | AB3725 | VF0120 | AB3055 | |
| 16 µm | SH0728 | AB3726 | – | AB3056 | |
| 18 µm | SH0751 | AB3743 | – | AB3082 | |
| 20 µm | SH0799 | AB3727 | VF0106 | AB3057 | |
| 24 µm | SH0856 | AB3728 | VF0107 | AB3058 | |
| 26 µm | SH0897 | AB3744 | – | AB3083 | |
| 28 µm | SH0921 | AB3745 | – | AB3084 | |
| 30 µm | SH0941 | AB3729 | VF0108 | AB3059 | |
| 32 µm | SH0965 | AB3746 | – | AB3085 | |
| 34 µm | SH0978 | AB3730 | VF0109 | AB3060 | |
| 36 µm | SH0994 | AB3747 | – | AB3086 | |
| 38 µm | SH1018 (this option is up to 8 week delivery) | AB3731 | VF0110 | AB3061 | |
| 40 µm | SH1042 | AB3732 | VF0111 | AB3062 | |
| 46 µm | SH1091 | AB3748 | – | AB3087 | |
| 48 µm | SH8007 | AB3749 | – | AB3088 | |
| 50 µm | SH1144 | AB3733 | VF0113 | AB3063 | |
| 56 µm | SH1216 | AB3734 | VF0114 | AB3064 | |
| 60 µm | SH1231 | AB3735 | VF0115 | AB3065 | |
| 66 µm | SH1266 | AB3750 | – | AB3089 | |
| 70 µm | SH1280 | AB3751 | – | AB3094 | |
| 76 µm | SH1314 | AB3736 | VF0118 | AB3066 | |
| 80 µm | SH1341 | AB3752 | – | AB3095 | |
| 88 µm | SH1372 | AB3753 | – | AB3096 | |
| 100 µm | SH0326 | AB3737 | VF0116 | AB3067 | |
| 120 µm | SH0797 | AB3738 | VF0119 | AB3068 | |
| 128 µm | SH0919 | AB3754 | AB3097 | ||
| 150 µm | SH1686 | AB3739 | AB3072 | ||
| 200 µm | SH0329 | AB3740 | VF0117 | AB3069 | |
| 300 µm | SH0338 | AB3755 | AB3099 | ||
| Custom µm* | SH2005* | AB3741 * | AB3071* | ||
*Check out our range of Custom-sized Spiral Bar Applicators here and request a quotation.
All applicators are made from high-grade stainless steel, with an accuracy of ± 2 µm.
Total dimensions of 180 mm film width applicator: 10 x 280 mm
Total dimensions of 230 mm film width applicator: 10 x 290 mm
Total dimensions of 250 mm film width applicator: 8 x 335 mm
Total dimensions of 320 mm film width applicator: 10 x 440 mm
Due to physical reasons, the maximum film thickness applied is not equal to the gap size. The deposited film thickness may vary from 40% to 80% of the gap size. Also note that the dry film thickness will be lower than wet thickness due to solvent or water evaporation.
We can also provide custom-made spiral bar/wire bar applicators. These can be ordered to meet the sizes you require and support your specific coating testing needs. Visit the Custom Spiral Bar Applicators page and request a quote or more information, so the drawdown bar can be manufactured according to your needs.
The TQC Sheen Spiral Bar Applicator is ideal when used with a motorized film applicator, such as our range of Automatic Film Applicators, as it smooths over any drawdown problems caused by variations in speed, pressure and direction. It even ensures that the results are protected from influence by the shear rate or weight of the applicator.
All of this means that you can enjoy confidence that your film thickness is even over an entire surface and that the samples created with our automatic film applicators are reproducible. Plus, you can quickly produce a large number of identical laboratory precision drawdowns.
Across the Industrial Physics portfolio, we make lots of different types of automatic film applicators.
Some of the other options to evaluate include our TQC Sheen Bird-type four-sided film applicators. Then there’s the popular TQC Sheen Automatic Film Applicator, which we also make a compact version of. TQC Sheen also offers a range of laminated test charts from A6 to A4 in size and with different patterns to suit your needs.
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A range of ultra-flat TQC Sheen Glass Film Application Tables in different sizes. Designed to draw down sample coatings on test charts with any of our film applicators with a high degree of reproducibility.
A wide range of consistent test charts for testing physical properties of coating, lacquers and inks. Suitable for determining hiding power, opacity and spreading rate. They come in a variety of dimensions from DIN A6 up to and including DIN A4. All charts are film laminated for an excellent solvent and chemical resistance and an…
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Applications: Coating Testing
Materials: Liquids, Paints and Coatings
Material: Stainless steel
Accuracy: +/- 2 µm
Total dimensions of 180 mm film width applicator: 10 x 280 mm
Total dimensions of 230 mm film width applicator: 10 x 290 mm
Total dimensions of 250 mm film width applicator: 8 x 335 mm
Total dimensions of 320 mm film width applicator: 10 x 440 mm
Each applicator is precision-engineered to apply a specific wet film thickness, typically ranging from 0 to 500 microns, depending on the wire diameter. A full selection guide is available to match your target thickness to the correct applicator.
Yes, spiral bar applicators are suitable for a wide range of viscosities. However, for high-viscosity or particulate-laden coatings, choose bars with larger wire diameters or use multiple passes to ensure even film distribution.
These applicators can be used on glass panels, metal panels, plastic films, and other flat, rigid substrates. For best results, ensure the surface is clean, dry, and level to avoid inconsistent film application
Immediately after use, clean with an appropriate solvent or cleaning agent that’s compatible with your coating material. Avoid using abrasive pads that can damage the wire. Always store applicators in a protective case to prevent contamination or warping.
TQC Sheen drawdown bars are designed for use with manual or automated film applicators, including the TQC Automatic Film Applicator, to ensure controlled application speed and repeatability.
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Products offered on our website are available for delivery to addresses worldwide by UPS Courier Service. If UPS does not deliver to a specific region or country, we will notify you and refund you the total amount of your order, using the original method of payment. You can return products in the original packaging and with proof of purchase subject to terms and conditions. Read more
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