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AssigneeEuropean Economic Community
InventorsMarinus Freder Stroosnijder, Giovanni Michele Macchi
Estimating the term…
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for quantitative determination of the level of spalling of a protective surface coating as a result of repetitive heating and cooling. The method comprises introducing at least one radionuclide into the protective coating of an article, alternately heating and cooling the article for a predetermined number of heating and cooling cycles, collecting the spalled particles and measuring the radioactivity thereof. The apparatus comprises a chamber for receiving the coated article, means for heating the chamber or the article and a spall collector. The spall collector is characterized in having means for immobilizing any spalled coating particles and in being so adapted that the level of radioactivity of any spalled particles can be measured by a .gamma.-spectrometer.
A method for quantitative determination of the level of spalling of a protective surface coating as a result of repetitive heating and cooling of a coated or partially coated article which method comprises the steps of:
An apparatus for testing the level of spalling of a protective surface coating as a result of repetitive heating and cooling of a coated or partially coated article wherein said coating has had introduced therein at least one radionuclide, the apparatus comprising a chamber for receipt of said coated article, a means for heating said chamber and/or said article, and a spall collector disposed at the bottom of said chamber and detachable therefrom wherein the said heating means is adapted to heat said chamber and/or said article independently of said spall collector and said spall collector comprises means for immobilizing any spalled coating particles in a thin layer of a solid substance which can be melted by slight heating and then solidifies when cooled so embedding and immobilizing the spalled radioactive particles and is so adapted that the level of radioactivity of any spalled particles can be measured by a .gamma.-spectrometer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.