Additional Info
Frequently Asked Questions
Which coating method fits my sample?
Match the method to the film you need. Spin coaters spread solutions into thin, even films on flat substrates. Dip coaters coat a part by withdrawing it from a solution at a set speed. Film applicators and automatic film coaters spread slurries, such as battery electrode pastes, onto foil. Sputter and carbon coaters deposit thin conductive layers under vacuum, mostly for SEM sample preparation.
Do I need a sputter coater or a carbon coater for SEM?
A sputter coater such as the MSE PRO Compact Magnetron Ion Sputtering Coater for SEM Sample Preparation lays down a thin metal film that stops nonconductive samples from charging. A carbon coater such as the MSE PRO Thermal Evaporation Carbon Coater is the usual choice when you plan EDS or other elemental analysis, since carbon adds little to the X-ray spectrum.
Should I use a manual film applicator or an automatic film coater for battery electrodes?
A micrometer adjustable applicator, such as the MSE PRO Micrometer Adjustable Film Applicator with widths from 50 to 300 mm, sets the wet film thickness and is drawn by hand. An automatic film coater moves the blade at a controlled speed for more repeatable electrodes. Versions with a heating dryer, like the MSE PRO Automatic Film Coater With Heating Dryer, also dry the coating in place.
How do I choose a spin coater?
Check substrate size, maximum speed and where the coater will run. SETCAS models list maximum substrate sizes of 4 inch or 120 mm and maximum speeds from 6,000 to 12,000 rpm, several with touch screen program control. For air-sensitive materials, the SETCAS Glove Box Compatible High-Speed Spin Coater runs inside a glove box. Most listed kits include a vacuum pump and 1, 2 and 4 inch chucks.
Are coaters available for 220 V or 230 V power?
Some models are listed in other power versions. Examples are the SETCAS glove box spin coater for 220V 50Hz with EU plug and the MSE PRO automatic film coater for 230V 50Hz with Denmark plug. For another model, send the voltage and plug type you need through a quote request.
How do I order several coaters or a custom setup?
For several units, such as spin coaters for a teaching lab or matching film coaters for an electrode line, use the bulk order request form. For a custom setup, such as a specific coating width or a heated version of a model, describe it in a quote request and name the model you are starting from.
