The use of thermal imaging for the development of materials to withstand extreme service conditions

Under extreme environmental service conditions, heat is the key factor in the pyrolysis of polymeric materials, and methods of producing surface degradation by controlled surface heat flux inputs will enable the degradation reaction processes to be better understood. Such a method of producing a controlled surface heat flux is that of thermal imaging, whereby radiation from a hot source is concentrated by an elliptical reflector to a focal point on the insulation surface, producing heating and pyrolysis. The techniques described in this work have been used to analyse the degradation of polymer insulation which is likely to be subjected to severe service conditions, whilst still being expected to retain its electrical insulation integrity