Dalia,
I'm not quite sure what you mean. An infra-red thermometer can only measure temperature - by definition. To deduce the thermal conductivity that exists between two surfaces one would need to know their spacing, and the area over which the heat is being lost.
In a restricted geometry, consisting of a pair of large plane flat plates, with an annular guard element around them, one might be able to use IR themometery and careful meaurement of the area/spacing to deduce the effective thermal conductivity.
Contact thermometers are, however, far easier to use and more common. Is your situation a problematic one? (rotating parts for eg)
Dalia Adil
I a agree with the answer on your question provided by Mr. James Garry.
Thank you
An infrared thermometer (noncontact) can resolve the radiant energy emitted approximately 25.4 microns from the surface of materials, and this depends on the material properties of thickness, emissivity, reflectivity, transmissivity, and the presence of a sufficient temperature difference, et cetera. So the simple and direct answer, without further information about the material layers and the potential temperatures inside and outside, is No.
If the external layer from which you are testing using an infrared thermometric device has a reasonably high emissivity you can determine if the whole area under inspection has a consistent (homogeneous) thermal pattern and/or if there are anomalous points of temperature difference at areas for which the insulation is either damaged or missing allowing heat or cold air (gas) flow to escape through or to the external layer or the external layer has cracks or holes. For this, the simple and direct answer is Yes.
But before one can answer the question, Yes or No, with increasing certainty, one must know the material properties of the three layer structure. One can use a high emissivity tape or material (e=0.95) place in close contact with the external surface and allowed sufficient time for equilibrium between the tape and surface, then use the known emissivity value of the tape to set the infrared thermometric device's e-value. The temperature readings from the IR device will be approximations if the environment of the object is under "normal" operating conditions.
My answer to your question is made with caution because the characteristics given are limited, excluding information necessary for making a determination. Another caution in answering your question is the test instrument's specifications. In other words, not all infrared thermometers or thermal imagers are "created equal". For example, can the device resolve radiant thermal energy differences, between objects, equated to +/- 2°C in terms of temperature, et cetera?
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Biological Science
- Zoology
- Invertebrate Zoology
- Arthropods
- Insects