A Thickness Gauge for Ceramic Coatings

An instrument has been developed for the purpose of measuring the thickness of protective coatings of ceramic materials applied on nonmagnetic metal bases. This instrument provides a nondestructive method of measurement and can be used on metallic backings having a wide range of electrical conductivities. Also, the thickness measurement refers to a restricted area and is, therefore, applicable to curved surfaces. Although this instrument was developed primarily for the measurement of the thickness of ceramic coatings on turbine blades and other high-temperature parts of aircraft power plants, it should be generally useful in thickness measurements of paint, plastic, and other nonconducting films.