This International Standard describes a method of using phase-sensitive eddy-current instruments for non-destructive measurements of the thickness of non-magnetic metallic coatings on metallic and non-metallic
basis materials, such as:
a) zinc, cadmium, copper, tin or chromium on steel;
b) copper or silver on composite materials.
The phase-sensitive method can be applied without thickness errors to smaller surface areas and to stronger surface curvatures than the amplitude-sensitive eddy-current method described in ISO 2360[1], and is less affected by the magnetic properties of the basis material. However, the phase-sensitive method is more affected by the electrical properties of the coating materials.
When measuring metallic coatings on metallic basis materials, the product of conductivity and permeability (sigma, my) of one of the materials should be at least a factor of 1,5 times the product of conductivity and permeability for the other material. Non-ferromagnetic materials have a relative permeability of 1.