Abstract: A wetting balance includes a load cell for suspending a specimen above a crucible containing a molten braze pool. A lift supports the crucible for vertical lifting thereof to effect an immersion cycle of the specimen in the pool. A controller operates the lift and determines first contact with the pool by measuring force changes thereat and produces a measured force log during the immersion cycle. In operation, the lift is operated for a predetermined time following first contact for immersing the specimen to a predetermined depth in the pool.

Abstract: A double cantilever beam (DCB) assembly is disclosed, comprising a fracture specimen having a notch which defines first and second spaced, substantially parallel, outwardly extending beams, terminating at a closed end where crack growth occurs and extending to an open end. The beams are connected to each other along at least a portion of a facing surface of each beam by two, substantially parallel ligaments, spaced from each other on the facing surfaces of the beams. Another disclosed embodiment is a corrosive environment measuring apparatus, comprising a double cantilever beam assembly disposed in an aqueous portion of a reactor vessel, and including the features described above. The reactor vessel is often a constituent of a nuclear reactor, and the DCB assembly is often disposed in a tube which is selectively lowered into the aqueous portion of the reactor vessel. The tube is usually a local power range monitor tube.