Infrared Thermography

This is the first book summarizing the theoretical basics of thermal nondestructive testing (TNDT) by combining elements of heat conduction, infrared thermography, and industrial nondestructive testing. The text contains the physical models of TNDT, heat transfer in defective and sound structures, and thermal properties of materials. Also included are the optimization of TNDT procedures, defect characterization, data processing in TNDT, active and passive TNDT systems, as well as elements of statistical data treatment and decision making. This text contains in-depth descriptions of applications in infrared/thermal testing within aerospace, power production, building, as well as the conservation of artistic monuments The book is intended for the industrial specialists who are involved in technical diagnostics and nondestructive testing. It may also be useful for academic researchers, undergraduate, graduate and PhD university students.

With national trade barriers falling, causing the expansion of the com petitive global market, the question of quality control has become an essential issue for the 1990s. The time where the promise was to replace a product if it does not work seems to have passed; what is more impor tant now is not so much a reduction in what is going wrong but an increase of what is going right the first time (Feigenbaum 1990). This new trend is sometimes referred to as total quality. Among the many advantages ofthis zero-defect manufacturing policy, we can enumerate (Laurin 1990): superior marketability of wholly de pendable products, enormous gain in productivity, elimination of waste ful cost in replacing poor quality work and retrofitting rejected products from the field. Although total quality is a relatively new and attractive concept for mass products such as cars, consumer electronics and per sonal computers, in many fields, mainly aerospace and military, it has been the rule for years because of security reasons.

Infrared thermography is a measurement technique that enables to obtain non intrusive measurements of surface temperatures. One of the interesting features of this technique is its ability to measure a full two dimensional map of the surface temperature and for this reason it has been widely used as a flow visualization technique. Since the temperature measurements can be extremely accurate it is possible, by using a heat flux sensor, also to measure convective heat transfer coefficient distributions on a surface making the technique de facto quantitative. This book, starting from the basic theory of infrared thermography and heat flux sensor guides, both the experienced researcher and the young student, in the correct application of this powerful technique to various practical problems. A significant number of examples and applications are also examined in detail.

This new up-to-date edition of the successful handbook and ready reference retains the proven concept of the first, covering basic and advanced methods and applications in infrared imaging from two leading expert authors in the field. All chapters have been completely revised and expanded and a new chapter has been added to reflect recent developments in the field and report on the progress made within the last decade. In addition there is now an even stronger focus on real-life examples, with 20% more case studies taken from science and industry. For ease of comprehension the text is backed by more than 590 images which include graphic visualizations and more than 300 infrared thermography figures. The latter include many new ones depicting, for example, spectacular views of phenomena in nature, sports, and daily life.

The volume is a theoretical and practical manual for thermographic inspections in electrical and industrial field. It contains 230 pages of theory and practical informations about guidelines, criteria, applications in electrical and industrial surveys.In the early chapters the book provides the physical basis of thermography, the technical characteristics of the cameras and their meanings, and the basic measurement techniques (emissivity, reflected ambient temperature, transimissivity).We then move on to the examination of the main applications in the electrical and industrial, where thermography is covering an increasingly important as a technique of predictive maintenance. Through it possible investigations into the electrical connections, phase imbalances, overloads, loss of isolation and physical damage to the conductors, the normal plants in the low voltage transformer substations.Are also possible investigations on electric motors, where you can find not only the loss of insulation in the windings but also imbalances and other mechanical problems.Other applications, of growing interesting, concern photovoltaic systems and data centers.In other industries we examine the applications in the chemical and petrochemical industries, and in general in industrial process control.The book contains many pictures of real cases and references to foreign technical standards, with criteria for classifying the severity of thermal anomalies and mathematical examples of application: in the US thermography technique has been recognized as valid by the NFPA (National Fire Protection Agency) for preventing fires of electrical origin, and the major insurance companies promote the application of thermography surveys.Other chapter covers miscellaneous applications such detecting corrosion under insulation, faults in steam traps, measuring furnace tubes, gas leak detection, refractory damage, checking level in vessels, temperature control in moulds, inspecting fiberglass and wooden boats for osmosis and humidity.

This book addresses the application of infrared thermography in sports, examining the main benefits of this non-invasive, non-radiating and low-cost technique. Aspects covered include the detection of injuries in sports medicine, the assessment of sports performance due to the existing link between physical fitness and thermoregulation and the analysis of heat transfer for sports garments and sports equipment. Although infrared thermography is broadly considered to be a fast and easy-to-use tool, the ability to deliver accurate and repeatable measurements is an important consideration. Furthermore, it is important to be familiar with the latest sports studies published on this technique to understand its potential and limitations. Accordingly, this book establishes a vital link between laboratory tests and the sports field.

Infrared Thermography (IRT) is commonly as a NDE tool to identify damages and provide remedial action. The fields of application are vast, such as, materials science, life sciences and applied engineering. This book offers a collection of ten chapters with three major sections - relating to application of infrared thermography to study problems in materials science, agriculture, veterinary and sports fields as well as in engineering applications. Both mathematical modeling and experimental aspects of IRT are evenly discussed in this book. It is our sincere hope that the book meets the requirements of researchers in the domain and inspires more researchers to study IRT.