This International Standard specifies a method for the measurement of the local thickness of metallic coatings, oxide layers, and porcelain or vitreous enamel coatings, by the microscopical examination of cross-sections using an optical microscope.
Under good conditions, when using an optical microscope, the method is capable of giving an absolute measuring accuracy of 0,8 urn; this will determine the suitability of the method for measuring the thickness of thin coatings.