The Dow Chemical Company

Philip G Mischler

Arthur J Kamp

An apparatus and method based on X-ray transmission is disclosed for determining the thickness, or equivalently, the weight per unit area, of a substance containing atoms of a non-radioactive element of atomic number of 11 or greater applied to a fabric, such as a calcium- and/or aluminum-containing latex coating on a carpet. The apparatus employs a source of radiation which emits a single predominant X-ray within the range of 12-19 Kev, such as zirconium which fluoresces at 16 Kev when bombarded with 60 Kev radiation from americium-241; a detector sensitive to the radiation emitted and having resolution at least as sharp as about 20 percent, such as a Kr/CO.sub.2 proportional counter; and a suitable electronic circuit to convert the charge pulse output of the detector to a readout signal related to the amount of the substance on the fabric.

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Midland, MI, United States of America

Philip G Mischler