In-Situ Thermal Properties Measurement Instrument

This proposal presents a methodology for measuring thermal properties in situ, with a special focus on obtaining the properties of layered stack-ups commonly used in vehicle armor. The technique involves attaching a thermal source to the surface of a component and measuring the heat flux and surface temperature response, which along with a corresponding model of the test conditions, can be used to determine the material properties. The objective of the proposed work is to build a prototype thermal measurement device that builds upon prior proof-of-concept research and addresses performance issues that were identified. To reach our objective, we propose a series of specific investigations that include: i. Investigating improvements to the heater technology to ensure uniform temperature distribution across heater surface; ii. Investigating advanced heating/cooling technologies and strategies; iii. Identifying and evaluating sensor head attachment techniques; iv. Development of an advanced in situ measurement device prototype; v. Validating the results of the modified methodology by testing the performance of the prototype on homogeneous and layered materials.