This three-year collaborative project between European National Measurement Institutes (NMIs) aims to develop thermal conductivity metrology for high temperature thermal protection materials. It will help build confidence in novel materials used in industrial heat management.

Recent advances in thermal protection systems have the potential to provide performance that is several-fold better than conventional insulation materials, but there is currently no reliable metrology framework with which to validate their use in safety critical engineering. Measurements of thermal conductivity have produced scatter of over 100 % for these new types of material. This situation means a lack of confidence and investment, an inability to demonstrate performance for certification, and consequently leads to use costly full-scale testing during the development of aerospace components, fire safety systems and process plants.

This joint research project started in June 2013 and will establish a framework for measurements of thermal conductivity in order to improve industrial measurement techniques up to 800 °C. It will enable designers of fire engineering and transportation safety systems to select the best performing thermal protection materials, helping to reduce the rate of industrial disasters and ultimately to save lives. It will reduce the disagreement between national reference laboratories to the point where they can provide measurements with the reliability needed for implementation of mandatory European regulations (EU No.305/2011). It will also support manufacturers of measurement instruments in the development and marketing of commercial equipment to meet a growing demand for industrial measurements.

June 2013 to May 2016

Publishable Summary

The research within this EURAMET joint research project receives funding from the European Community's Seventh Framework Programme, ERA-NET Plus, under Grant Agreement No. 217257.