Experimental Determination of the Thermal Parameters of Carbon Fiber-Composite Materials Exposed to Fire by Infrared Imaging Pulse Thermography

A new procedure adapted from the classical one performed by Parker et al. has been developed to extend it to insulating plates (carbon fiber-reinforced composites). The measurement system consists of an infrared camera synchronized with a flash lamp. This method has been implemented to obtain the thermal parameters of the samples in different states of degradation by fire. The method is based on experimental-theory adjustment to obtain the intrinsic thermal parameters: thermal diffusivity, thermal conductivity, and volumetric heat capacity. In addition, the method has required development of a theoretical model accounting for the cooling losses significant for insulating plates. The results have been validated by comparison between the experimental data and those provided by a heat transfer model.