Method for nondestructive testing of coating adhesion

A method for applying a consistently perpendicular minimum tension force to a dolly 16 for testing to see if the adhesive bond strength between a coating 12 and substrate 14 meets a minimum specification for such bond involves using a tester having a ram 34 passing through an axially centered opening 18 in the dolly 16 which is bonded to the coating 12. Piston and cylinder means 30,32 are associated with the ram 34 and the dolly 16 so that pressure within the piston chamber formed thereby causes the development of a tension force on the dolly 16 which is perpendicular to the coating 12 being tested because of its coaxially centered orientation with respect to the ram 34. The pressure is increased only to a point wherein the tension force is equal to a minimum specification for bonding adhesion. If the coating has not separated from the substrate, the bond therebetween meets the specification. The testing apparatus may then be removed by causing the bonding means attaching the dolly 16 to the coating 12 to fail e.g. by heating.