Thickness measurement of non-magnetic plates using multi-frequency eddy current sensors

A robust feature in multi-frequency eddy current (MEC) testing has been found that can be directly linked to the thickness of the plate under test. It is shown mathematically that the peak frequency of the imaginary part of the inductance change when an air-cored coil is placed next to a non-magnetic metallic plate is inversely proportional to the thickness of the plate for a given material. Experimental results indicate that this relationship also holds for a ferrite-cored U-shaped coil. In addition, this peak frequency has been shown to be relatively independent of lift-off variations. Use of this new feature provides a fast and accurate method to gauge the thickness of plates. Measurements made for a sample air-cored and ferrite U-cored coil next to copper and aluminium plates of various thicknesses verified the proposed method. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.