Measurement of the Absorption of Microwave Power by Corroded Metals

Abstract

Metal alloys, when exposed to a salt/organic environment at elevated temperatures, corrode resulting in a decrease in the surface conductivity. This decrease can be monitored and assessed via the measurement of the incident and reflected microwave signals impinging upon the corroded surface. Several metallic alloys, stainless steels and inconels, were treated with a salt/organic mixture (proprietary) and heat treated at 1100 F. Periodically, the metals were removed from the furnace, allowed to cool to room temperature, and measured electrically. The samples were re-coated with the salt/organic mixture and re-heat treated. The electrical measurements showed a generally increased power absorption as corrosion thickness increased.