Infrared thermography is a type of thermal imaging that uses infrared radiation to produce images of objects. It can be used to measure the temperature of an object or area without physically touching it. This technology has a wide range of applications, from industrial to medical. In this article, we will explore everything you need to know about infrared thermography.
What is infrared thermography?
Infrared thermography is a technology that uses infrared radiation to measure the temperature of an object. The thermal images produced by infrared thermography can be used to detect hot spots or areas of high heat loss in buildings. Also, identify electrical faults, and find leaks in pipelines.
How does it work?
Infrared thermography is a type of thermal imaging that uses infrared radiation to create an image of an object. Thermal cameras detect infrared radiation and convert it into an electrical signal, which is then converted into a temperature reading.
Thermal images are created by detecting the difference in temperature between two objects. The greater the temperature difference, the greater the contrast between the objects will be.
Thermal images can be used to detect a variety of faults in electrical equipment. Such as loose connections, overloaded circuits, and faulty insulation. They can also be used to find leaks in plumbing, HVAC systems, and roofs.
The Different Infrared Thermography Techniques
Active Thermography
Active thermography is a powerful infrared imaging technique that can be used to detect and diagnose a wide range of problems in various types of materials. It is based on the principle that when a material is heated. Also, it will emit thermal radiation (infrared radiation) at a characteristic wavelength that is proportional to its temperature. By measuring this emitted radiation with an infrared camera. It is possible to obtain highly detailed images of the material’s surface temperature distribution.
Active thermography can be used to detect and characterize many different types of defects in materials. Also, including cracks, voids, delaminations, inclusions, and moisture damage. It is frequently used for nondestructive testing (NDT) of composite materials, metals, concrete, and other engineering materials. Active thermography can also be used for process monitoring and quality control applications.
Passive Thermography
Passive thermography is a thermal imaging technique that uses an infrared camera to detect heat emanating from an object. This heat signature can reveal hidden problems, such as insulation voids, moisture intrusion, and air leaks.
Passive thermography is an extremely valuable tool for energy audits, building diagnostics, and failure analysis. When used correctly, passive thermography can help you save money on energy bills, find hidden defects. Before they cause expensive damage, and troubleshoot mechanical problems.
Thermal imaging
Thermal imaging is the process of using an infrared camera to capture and measure the thermal radiation emitted by an object. This information can then be used to create a heat map of the object. Which can be used to identify areas of high and low thermal activity.
Thermal imaging has a wide range of applications, from detecting energy loss in buildings to identifying hot spots in electrical equipment. It can also be used to monitor industrial processes, detect fires, and even track wildlife.
There are two main types of thermal cameras: uncooled and cooled. Uncooled cameras use a sensor that is sensitive to infrared radiation, while cooled cameras use a sensor that is cooled to very low temperatures (usually below -100°C).
Cooled cameras are typically more expensive than uncooled cameras, but they offer several advantages, including higher sensitivity and lower noise levels.
Flash thermography
Flash thermography is a thermal imaging technique that uses short-duration pulses of infrared radiation to produce images of an object’s surface temperature. The advantages of flash thermography over traditional thermal imaging techniques are that it is non-contact, does not require a cooled infrared sensor, and is capable of imaging objects with very low thermal conductivity. Flash thermography has applications in the automotive, aerospace, and electronics industries.
Vibrothermography
Vibrothermography is an infrared thermography technique that can be used to detect minute changes in temperature. It works by measuring the change in intensity of infrared radiation emitted from an object as it vibrates. Vibrothermography can be used to detect early signs of material failures, such as cracks or delaminations, and is often used in the aerospace and automotive industries.
Lock-in thermography
Lock-in thermography is a powerful infrared thermography technique that can be used to investigate a wide range of material properties and defects. By using phase-sensitive detection, lock-in thermography can extract low-amplitude signals from noise-ridden backgrounds and provide improved spatial resolution. Additionally, lock-in thermography can be used to study dynamic processes such as phase transitions and material relaxation.
What are the benefits of infrared thermography?
- There are many benefits of infrared thermography that make it a valuable tool for a wide variety of applications. Some of the most notable benefits include:
- The ability to measure temperature without contact – This is particularly useful in situations where it would be difficult or dangerous to make physical contact with an object, such as in an industrial setting or when measuring the temperature of live electrical equipment.
- The ability to measure temperature across a wide range – Infrared thermography can measure temperatures ranging from -20°C to 3000°C, making it suitable for a huge range of applications.
- The ability to see hidden problems – Infrared thermography can detect issues that would be otherwise invisible to the naked eye, such as heat leaks in buildings or electrical faults.
- The ability to monitor trends over time – By regularly scanning an area with infrared thermography, it is possible to track changes in temperature over time. This can be used to spot potential problems early and prevent them from becoming more serious.
How can I get started with infrared thermography?
If you want to get started with infrared thermography, there are a few things you need to know. First, infrared thermography is a type of thermal imaging that uses infrared radiation to create an image. It’s often used for industrial and scientific applications, but it can also be used for things like security or building inspection.
To use infrared thermography, you’ll need an infrared camera. These cameras can be expensive, so it’s important to do your research before purchasing one. Once you have a camera, you’ll need to calibrate it for the specific application you’re using it for. After that, you can start taking images and interpreting them to find out what’s going on inside the object or area you’re inspecting.
Conclusion
Infrared thermography is a powerful tool that can be used for a variety of purposes. It is non-invasive, safe, and can be used to measure the temperature of objects from a distance. This makes it ideal for applications such as detecting leaks in buildings, measuring the temperature of electrical equipment, or even checking the authenticity of artworks. With its wide range of uses, infrared thermography is sure to become an increasingly popular tool in the coming years.
Souffront Construction and Engineering are here to lead the way if you’ve been looking for an infrared thermographer that is both qualified and reliable. To ensure the success of our infrared thermography inspection services, we only employ level II qualified IR thermographers. Get in touch with our helpful customer care reps over the phone to ask any questions you may have regarding the services we offer.
