Abstract
<jats:p>The quality and reliability of coatings for steel structures are critical to the longevity of the Department of Defense’s infrastructure. Coatings are the first line of defense against the environmental degradation of steel and require inspection. Nondestructive techniques (NDT) are commonly employed to assess a coating’s condition and inform maintenance decisions. This study sought to examine a photothermal (PT) noncontact NDT method to measure coating dry film thickness, with potential for robotic vehicle attachment. The performance of the noncontact method was com-pared to a trusted contact nondestructive method within a laboratory environment. This study evaluated the method’s accuracy, consistency, repeatability, and limitations. Results demonstrated the noncontact NDT method’s capabilities and limitations. The research highlights the challenges associated with implementing noncontact NDT for complex coating systems and informs future development efforts.</jats:p>