Subscribe free to our newsletters via your
. 24/7 Space News .




TECH SPACE
Infrared technology for measuring the effect of fire on materials
by Staff Writers
Madrid, Spain (SPX) Dec 21, 2011


Researchers at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid are developing an infrared measuring method to analyze the thermal properties and resistance to fire of composite materials. This advance would have applications in aerospace engineering and other areas where fire safety requires that the "composite" materials withstand high temperatures. Credit: UC3M.

The main problem associated with measuring the effects of fire on materials lies in the temperature of the flames, which reaches over 1000 C and can obscure the actual temperature of the material.

In addition, there is the problem of the high concentration of gasses (CO2, H2O and others), which makes it difficult to obtain clear images of the sample being subjected to fire. In order to solve this problem, the UC3M scientists who developed this method used a measurement that utilizes the infrared spectrum.

"To do this, we had to use an infrared camera, properly set, spectrally, for measuring the temperature, as well as image processing that allowed us to determine the measurement, discounting the flame's fanning effects", explains one of the authors, Fernando Lopez, a tenured professor in the Physics Department at UC3M.

This research, which was carried out in collaboration with the Airbus Systems Laboratory, and which has been published in the journal Measurement Science and Technology, has applications in the aeronautical industry, where it is essential to know what effects fire will have on the composite materials (fiberglass, carbon fiber, etc.) that are used in airplanes.

Moreover, this method could be applied in other sectors where a material's resistance to fire is crucial, such as in rail and land transport or fire protection in housing.

The advantage of using this method of measurement is that it can be done without any direct contact with the material, almost instantly (in milliseconds) and under severe conditions (when flames are present), where other systems of measurement cannot be used, the researchers explain.

The professor states that, "The main objective is to quickly and precisely measure the real temperature of the sample over the entire surface, including the part that is hidden by the flames, and to do this from a distance." And he adds, "All of this, as a function of time, and taking into consideration the rise and fall of the temperature over time."

Another line of investigation currently being developed by these scientists from the Laboratorio del Infrarrojo (LIR - Infrared Laboratory) at the UC3M is one that allows them to measure, from a distance, the thermodynamic parameters of materials (emissivity and diffusivity, coefficients of conductivity and specific heat), by means of an infrared analysis of the image.

In addition, they are studying ways in which to use their ability to detect hidden subsurface defects that can be generated by fire or other causes.

Measuring temperatures in the presence of flames that are "dirty" based on their subproducts, includes a strong infrared component of absorption and emission that must be discounted in a very precise manner, according to the researchers.

This technology falls within the spectral methods, which the LIR-UC3M specializes in, that is, those that are based on properties that depend on the wavelength.

Infrared thermography of solid surfaces in a fire; Melendez, J.; Foronda, A.; Aranda, J. M.; Lopez, F.; Lopez del Cerro, F. J. - Measurement Science and Technology 21 (10): Art. No. 105504 OCT 2010 ISSN: 0957-0233

.


Related Links
Carlos III University of Madrid
Space Technology News - Applications and Research






Comment on this article via your Facebook, Yahoo, AOL, Hotmail login.

Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle








TECH SPACE
German company finds rare earths resources in Magadascar
Frankfurt (AFP) Dec 20, 2011
Tantalus Rare Earths, a German company specialising in the exploration of rare earths, said Tuesday it has come across what it believes to be important deposits in a region of Magadascar. Tantalus Rare Earths said it believes it has found 130 million tonnes of lateritic clay that contains rare earths - which are used in the production of high-tech products such as electric cars, wind turb ... read more


TECH SPACE
Peres promotes Israeli moon probe

Hundreds of NASA's moon rocks missing: audit

Schafer Corp Signs Licensing Agreement with MoonDust Technologies

Russia wants to focus on Moon if Mars mission fails

TECH SPACE
Meteorite Shock Waves Trigger Dust Avalanches on Mars

Opportunity at One of its Two Winter Spots

Scientists find microbes in lava tube living in conditions like those on Mars

MARSIS Completes Measurement Campaign Over Martian North Pole

TECH SPACE
Astrophysicist John Grunsfeld to Head NASA Science Directorate

A Brighter Future for Spaceflight

Goddard Scientists Selected as Participating Scientists in Mars Lab and Cassini Missions

Mankind faces long road in space exploration

TECH SPACE
Tiangong-1 orbiter starts planned cabin checks against toxic gas

China celebrates success of space docking mission

Two and a Half Men for Shenzhou

China honors its 'father' of space efforts

TECH SPACE
Russia sends multinational crew to ISS

As Soyuz Rolls ISS Crew Work On Science

ESA astronaut Andre Kuipers Ready For Launch To ISS

Astronaut TJ Creamer Learns Space Station Science From the Ground Up

TECH SPACE
Next ESA Astronaut Ready For Launch As Soyuz Rolls Out

Acra Control Proven in Low Earth Orbit

Vega moves closer to its first liftoff

Arianespace Signs First launch contracts for Vega

TECH SPACE
NASA Discovers First Earth-size Planets Beyond Our Solar System

First Earth-sized planets found

Earth-sized worlds spotted in new advance for exoplanets

Giant Super-Earths Made Of Diamond Are Possible

TECH SPACE
Canada hunts for rare earth metals as China cuts back

Split decision in Microsoft smartphone patent case

Hollywood still struggling to focus 3D technology

Research could improve laser-manufacturing technique




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2014 - Space Media Network. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement