This　paper　develops　a　measurement　method　for　accurately　determining　dispersion　curves　of　Rayleigh-type　surface　waves　propagating　on　layer-coated　elastic　cylinders.　It　utilizes　PVDF　acoustic　transducers　and　a　defocusing　measurement　system.　To　deal　with　the　cylindrically　curved　surface,　a　new　cross-correlation　waveform　processing　approach　is　proposed　and　verified.　Cylindrical　Rayleigh　wave　velocities　of　layered　cylindrical　solid　samples　have　been　successfully　measured　over　a　frequency　range　from　3　to　20　MHz.　The　measured　dispersion　curves　are　in　good　agreement　with　their　theoretical　counterparts.　It　demonstrates　the　potential　application　for　non-destructive　evaluation　of　coating　layers　deposited　on　cylindrical　solids.　(C)　2015　Elsevier　Ltd.　All　rights　reserved.