Thermophysical Properties of Temperature-Sensitive Paint

The complex thermophysical property of temperature-sensitive paint (TSP) research is discussed. TSP is used for visualization of the surface temperature distribution in wind tunnel aerodynamic tests. The purpose of this research was to provide reliable, experimental, thermophysical data of the paint applied as a coating. As TSP is applied as thin surface layers, investigation of its final properties is challenging and demands the application of non-standard procedures. At present, most measurements were performed on composite specimens of TSP deposed onto a thin metallic film substrate or on TSP combined with a cellulose sheet support. The studies involved gravimetric,, thermogravimetric, and microcalorimetric analyses, transversal thermal diffusivity estimation from laser flash data and in-plane effective thermal diffusivity measurements done by the temperature oscillation technique. These results were complemented with scanning electron microcopy analysis, surface characterization and the results of dilatometric measurements performed on the TSP bulk specimens obtained from liquid substrate by casting. Complex analysis of the obtained results indicated an isotropic characteristic of the thermal diffusivity of the TSP layer and provided reliable data on all measured thermophysical parameters-they were revealed to be typical for insulators. Further to presenting these data, the paper, in brief, presents the applied investigation procedures.