Abstract:
A system for measuring the tensile strength of a planar interface between a substrate (30) and a coating (32) which includes an energy source (20) that generates an electromagnetic beam (24) along a first axis, and a sample assembly disposed along the first axis having a first face, and a second face, where the first and second faces are oppositely opposed. The sample assembly includes a confining plate (26), an energy absorbing layer (28), a substrate (30) and a coating (32) having a free surface, all in intimate facing contact with each other, and where the sample (30) and a coating (32) having a free surface, all in intimate facing contact which each other, and where the sample (30) and the coating (32) are in intimate facing contact forms a substrate/coating interface. The coating (32) is positioned along the first axis so that the coating (32) free surface forms the sample assembly second face and the confining plate (26) forms the sample assembly first face.