Probes for electrochemical impedance spectroscopy

摘要

Probes (77) for assessing a coating (55) on a substrate (50) via electrochemical impedance spectroscopy are described herein. Embodiments of theses probes comprise an electrolyte reservoir (90) capable of containing a liquid electrolyte (91) therein; a counter electrode (95) disposed so as to be capable of being operatively coupled to the liquid electrolyte; at least one sealing device (94) capable of retaining the liquid electrolyte (91) within the electrolyte reservoir (90); and a delivery device (93) operatively coupled to the electrolyte reservoir (90), the delivery device being capable of delivering a predetermined amount of the liquid electrolyte onto the coating (55) on the substrate (50) to operatively couple the coating (55) to the counter electrode (95). These probes may also comprise a reference electrode (92). These small, handheld probes can be used to assess thermal barrier coatings on gas turbine engine components in production, repair and maintenance environments so that the remaining lifetime of the components can be easily and non-destructively determined. <IMAGE>