Microwave nondestructive testing of coatings and paints using free-space microwave measurement system

Microwave nondestructive testing (MNDT) techniques are applied to evaluate quality of anti-corrosive protective coatings and paints on metal surfaces. A free-space microwave measurement (FSMM) system is used for MNDT of protective coatings. The FSMM system consists of transmit and receive spot-focusing horn lens antennas, a vector network analyzer, mode transitions and a computer. Diffraction effects at the edges of the sample are minimized by using spot-focusing horn lens antennas. Errors due to multiple reflections between antennas are corrected by using free-space LRL (line, reflect, line) calibration technique. We have measured complex reflection coefficient of polyurethane based paint which is coated on brass plates.