FLIR Report Studio‎

User’s manual

FLIR Report Studio‎

1.4

1  Legal disclaimer

1.1  Legal disclaimer

All products manufactured by FLIR Systems are warranted against defective materials and workmanship for a period of one (1) year from the delivery date of the original purchase, provided such products have been under normal storage, use and service, and in accordance with FLIR Systems instruction.
Products which are not manufactured by FLIR Systems but included in systems delivered by FLIR Systems to the original purchaser, carry the warranty, if any, of the particular supplier only. FLIR Systems has no responsibility whatsoever for such products.
The warranty extends only to the original purchaser and is not transferable. It is not applicable to any product which has been subjected to misuse, neglect, accident or abnormal conditions of operation. Expendable parts are excluded from the warranty.
In the case of a defect in a product covered by this warranty the product must not be further used in order to prevent additional damage. The purchaser shall promptly report any defect to FLIR Systems or this warranty will not apply.
FLIR Systems will, at its option, repair or replace any such defective product free of charge if, upon inspection, it proves to be defective in material or workmanship and provided that it is returned to FLIR Systems within the said one-year period.
FLIR Systems has no other obligation or liability for defects than those set forth above.
No other warranty is expressed or implied. FLIR Systems specifically disclaims the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.
FLIR Systems shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, special, incidental or consequential loss or damage, whether based on contract, tort or any other legal theory.
This warranty shall be governed by Swedish law.
Any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of or in connection with this warranty, shall be finally settled by arbitration in accordance with the Rules of the Arbitration Institute of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce. The place of arbitration shall be Stockholm. The language to be used in the arbitral proceedings shall be English.

1.2  Usage statistics

FLIR Systems reserves the right to gather anonymous usage statistics to help maintain and improve the quality of our software and services.

1.3  Changes to registry

The registry entry HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa\LmCompatibilityLevel will be automatically changed to level 2 if the FLIR Camera Monitor service detects a FLIR camera connected to the computer with a USB cable. The modification will only be executed if the camera device implements a remote network service that supports network logons.

1.4  Copyright

© 2018, FLIR Systems, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. No parts of the software including source code may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed or translated into any language or computer language in any form or by any means, electronic, magnetic, optical, manual or otherwise, without the prior written permission of FLIR Systems.
The documentation must not, in whole or part, be copied, photocopied, reproduced, translated or transmitted to any electronic medium or machine readable form without prior consent, in writing, from FLIR Systems.
Names and marks appearing on the products herein are either registered trademarks or trademarks of FLIR Systems and/or its subsidiaries. All other trademarks, trade names or company names referenced herein are used for identification only and are the property of their respective owners.

1.5  Quality assurance

The Quality Management System under which these products are developed and manufactured has been certified in accordance with the ISO 9001 standard.
FLIR Systems is committed to a policy of continuous development; therefore we reserve the right to make changes and improvements on any of the products without prior notice.

2  Notice to user

2.1  User-to-user forums

Exchange ideas, problems, and infrared solutions with fellow thermographers around the world in our user-to-user forums. To go to the forums, visit:
http://forum.infraredtraining.com/

2.2  Training

To read about infrared training, visit:

2.3  Documentation updates

Our manuals are updated several times per year, and we also issue product-critical notifications of changes on a regular basis.
To access the latest manuals, translations of manuals, and notifications, go to the Download tab at:
It only takes a few minutes to register online. In the download area you will also find the latest releases of manuals for our other products, as well as manuals for our historical and obsolete products.

2.4  Software updates

FLIR Systems regularly issues software updates and you can update the software using this update service. Depending on your software, this update service is located at one or both of the following locations:
  • Start > FLIR Systems > [Software] > Check for updates.
  • Help > Check for updates.

2.5  Important note about this manual

FLIR Systems issues generic manuals that cover several software variants within a software suite.
This means that this manual may contain descriptions and explanations that do not apply to your software variant.

2.6  Additional license information

For each purchased software license, the software may be installed, activated, and used on two devices, e.g., one laptop computer for on-site data acquisition, and one desktop computer for analysis in the office.

3  Customer help

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3.1  General

For customer help, visit:

3.2  Submitting a question

To submit a question to the customer help team, you must be a registered user. It only takes a few minutes to register online. If you only want to search the knowledgebase for existing questions and answers, you do not need to be a registered user.
When you want to submit a question, make sure that you have the following information to hand:
  • The camera model
  • The camera serial number
  • The communication protocol, or method, between the camera and your device (for example, SD card reader, HDMI, Ethernet, USB, or FireWire)
  • Device type (PC/Mac/iPhone/iPad/Android device, etc.)
  • Version of any programs from FLIR Systems
  • Full name, publication number, and revision number of the manual

3.3  Downloads

On the customer help site you can also download the following, when applicable for the product:
  • Firmware updates for your infrared camera.
  • Program updates for your PC/Mac software.
  • Freeware and evaluation versions of PC/Mac software.
  • User documentation for current, obsolete, and historical products.
  • Mechanical drawings (in *.dxf and *.pdf format).
  • Cad data models (in *.stp format).
  • Application stories.
  • Technical datasheets.
  • Product catalogs.

4  Introduction

Graphic
FLIR Report Studio is a software suite specifically designed to provide an easy way to create inspection reports.
Examples of what you can do in FLIR Report Studio include the following:
  • Import images from your camera to your computer.
  • Add, move, and resize measurement tools on any infrared image.
  • Create Microsoft Word and PDF reports for images of your choice.
  • Add headers, footers, and logos to reports.
  • Create your own report templates.

5  Installation

5.1  System requirements

5.1.1  Operating system

FLIR Report Studio supports USB 2.0 and 3.0 communication for the following PC operating systems:
  • Microsoft Windows 7, 32 bit.
  • Microsoft Windows 7, 64 bit.
  • Microsoft Windows 8, 32 bit.
  • Microsoft Windows 8, 64 bit.
  • Microsoft Windows 10, 32 bit.
  • Microsoft Windows 10, 64 bit.

5.1.2  Hardware

  • Personal computer with a dual-core 2 GHz processor.
  • 4 GB of RAM (minimum—8 GB recommended).
  • 128 GB hard disk, with at least 15 GB of available hard disk space.
  • DVD-ROM drive.
  • Support for DirectX 9 graphics with:
    • WDDM driver
    • 128 MB of graphics memory (minimum)
    • Pixel Shader 2.0 in hardware
    • 32 bits per pixel.
  • SVGA (1024 × 768) monitor (or higher resolution).
  • Internet access (fees may apply).
  • Audio output.
  • Keyboard and mouse, or a compatible pointing device.

5.2  Installation of FLIR Report Studio‎

5.2.1  Procedure

Follow this procedure:

6  Managing licenses

6.1  Activating your license

6.1.1  General

The first time you start FLIR Report Studio you will be able to choose one of the following options:
  • Activate FLIR Report Studio online.
  • Activate FLIR Report Studio by e-mail.
  • Purchase FLIR Report Studio and receive a serial number for activation.
  • Use FLIR Report Studio for free during an evaluation period.

6.1.2  Figure

Graphic

Figure 6.1  Activation dialog box.

6.1.3  Activating FLIR Report Studio‎ online

6.1.4  Activating FLIR Report Studio‎ by e-mail

6.1.5  Activating FLIR Report Studio‎ on a computer with no internet access

If your computer does not have internet access, you can request the unlock key by e-mail from another computer.

6.2  Transferring your license

6.2.1  General

You can transfer a license from one computer to another computer, as long as you do not exceed the number of purchased licenses.
This lets you use the software on, for example, a desktop PC and a laptop computer.

6.2.2  Figure

Graphic

Figure 6.5  License viewer (example image only).

6.2.3  Procedure

6.3  Activating additional software modules

6.3.1  General

For some software, you can purchase additional modules from FLIR Systems. Before your can use the module, you need to activate it.

6.3.2  Figure

Graphic

Figure 6.6  License viewer, showing available software modules (example image only).

6.3.3  Procedure

7  Login

7.1  General

The first time you start FLIR Report Studio, you must log in with a FLIR Customer Support account. If you already have an existing FLIR Customer Support account, you can use the same login credentials.
  • When you log in, your computer must have internet access.
  • Unless you log out, you do not need to log in again to use FLIR Report Studio.

7.2  Login procedure

Follow this procedure:

7.3  Logout

Normally, there is no need to log out. If you log out, you need to log in again to start FLIR Report Studio.

Follow this procedure:

8  Workflow

8.1  General

When you carry out an infrared inspection you follow a typical workflow. This section gives an example of an infrared inspection workflow.

9  Creating infrared reports

9.1  General

The FLIR Report Studio wizard allows you to easily and efficiently generate reports. The wizard gives you the opportunity to fine tune and adjust your report before it is created. You can choose different report templates, add images, edit images, move images up and down, and add report properties such as customer information and information about the inspection.
Using the FLIR Report Studio wizard is the easiest way to create a report. However, you can also create a report from a blank Microsoft Word document, by adding and removing objects and by modifying the properties of the objects as described in section 12.2 Managing objects in the report.

9.2  Types of reports

You can create the following types of reports using the FLIR Report Studio wizard:
FLIR Report Studio ships with a number of report templates. You can also create your own templates, see section 13 Creating report templates.

9.3  FLIR Report Studio‎ wizard screen elements

9.3.1  Template window

9.3.1.1  Figure

Graphic

9.3.1.2  Explanation

9.3.2  Image window

9.3.2.1  Figure

Graphic

9.3.2.2  Explanation

9.3.3.1  File menu

The File menu includes the following commands:
  • Save session. Click to save a session. For more information, see section 9.5 Saving a session.
  • Load session. Click to load a session. For more information, see section 9.5 Saving a session.
  • Exit. Click to exit the FLIR Report Studio wizard. This will close the application, and all of your unsaved work will be lost.

9.3.3.2  Options menu

The Options includes the following commands:

9.3.3.3  Help menu

The Help includes the following commands:
  • Documentation. Click and select Online to view the latest help files from the internet or Offline to view the help files that are installed on your computer.
  • FLIR Store. Click to go to the FLIR Store website.
  • FLIR Support Center. Click to go to the FLIR Support Center.
  • License information. Click to display the License Viewer.
  • Validate FLIR license. (Enabled if you have not yet activated your FLIR Report Studio license.) Click to open the activation dialog box. For more information, see section 6 Managing licenses.
  • Check for updates. Click to check for software updates. For more information, see section 15 Software update.
  • About. Click to display the current version of the FLIR Report Studio.

9.4  Procedure

Follow this procedure:

9.5  Saving a session

A session is a way to store a report that has not yet been completed in the FLIR Report Studio wizard. You can load a saved session in the FLIR Report Studio wizard and continue with the report later.
In the FLIR Report Studio wizard, do the following:
  • To save a session, select File > Save session.
  • To load a session, select File > Load session.

9.6  Changing the settings

You can change the settings for FLIR Report Studio wizard.

Follow this procedure:

10  Importing images from the camera

10.1  General

You can import images from a camera connected to the computer.

10.2  Import procedure

Follow this procedure:

11  Analyzing and editing images

11.1  General

The FLIR Report StudioImage Editor is a powerful tool for analyzing and editing infrared images.
These are some of the functions and settings you can experiment with:
  • Adding measurement tools.
  • Adjusting the infrared image.
  • Changing the color distribution.
  • Changing the color palette.
  • Changing the image modes.
  • Working with color alarms and isotherms.
  • Changing the measurement parameters.

11.2  Starting the Image Editor‎

You can start the Image Editor from the FLIR Report Studio wizard and from the FLIR Word Add-in.

11.2.1  Starting the Image Editor‎ from the FLIR Report Studio‎ wizard

Follow this procedure:

11.2.2  Starting the Image Editor‎ from the FLIR Word Add-in‎

You can start the Image Editor from an editable infrared report.

Follow this procedure:

11.3  Image Editor‎ screen elements

11.3.1  Figure

Graphic

11.3.2  Explanation

11.4  Basic image editing functions

11.4.1  Rotating the image

Follow this procedure:

11.4.2  Cropping the image

You can crop an image and save the cropped image as a copy of the original image.

Follow this procedure:

11.5  Working with measurement tools

11.5.1  General

To measure a temperature, you can use one or more measurement tools, e.g., a spot, box, circle, or line.
When you add a measurement tool to the image, the measured temperature will be displayed in the right pane of the Image Editor. The tool setup will also be saved to the image file and the measured temperature will be available for display in your infrared report.

11.5.2  Adding a measurement tool

Follow this procedure:

11.5.3  Moving and resizing a measurement tool

Follow this procedure:

11.5.4  Displaying a profile plot

11.5.4.1  General

A profile plot displays how the temperature results vary over a line tool.

11.5.4.2  Procedure

Follow this procedure:

11.5.5  Creating local markers for a measurement tool

11.5.5.1  General

The Image Editor will respect any existing markers for a measurement tool as set up in the camera. However, sometimes you may want to add a marker when analyzing the image. You do this by using local markers.

11.5.5.2  Procedure

Follow this procedure:

11.5.6  Calculating areas

11.5.6.1  General

The distance included in the image parameter data can be used as the basis for area calculations. A typical application is to estimate the size of a damp stain on a wall.
To calculate the area of a surface, you need to add a box or circle measurement tool to the image. The Image Editor calculates the area of the surface enclosed by the box or circle tool. The calculation is an estimate of the surface area, based on the distance value.
11.5.6.1.1  Procedure

Follow this procedure:

11.5.6.1.2  Calculating lengths
11.5.6.1.2.1  General
The distance included in the image parameter data can be used as the basis for length calculations.
To calculate the length, you need to add a line measurement tool to the image. The Image Editor calculates an estimate of the line length, based on the distance value.
11.5.6.1.2.1.1  Procedure

Follow this procedure:

11.5.7  Setting up a difference calculation

11.5.7.1  General

A difference calculation gives the difference (delta) between two temperatures—for example, two spots, or a spot and the maximum temperature in the image.

11.5.7.2  Procedure

11.5.7.2.1  Procedure

Follow this procedure:

11.5.8  Deleting a measurement tool

Follow this procedure:

11.6  Adjusting the infrared image

11.6.1  General

An infrared image can be adjusted manually or automatically.
In the Image Editor, you can manually change the top and bottom levels in the temperature scale. This makes it easier to analyze the image. You can, for example, change the temperature scale to values close to the temperature of a specific object in the image. This will make it possible to detect anomalies and smaller temperature differences in the part of the image of interest.
When auto-adjusting an image, the Image Editor adjusts the image for the best image brightness and contrast. This means that the color information is distributed over the existing temperatures of the image.
In some situations, the image may contain very hot or cold areas outside your area of interest. In such cases you will want to exclude those areas when auto-adjusting the image and use the color information only for the temperatures in your area of interest. You can do so by defining an auto-adjust region.

11.6.2  Example 1

Here are two infrared images of a building. In the left image, which is auto-adjusted, the large temperature span between the clear sky and the heated building makes a correct analysis difficult. You can analyze the building in more detail if you change the temperature scale to values close to the temperature of the building.
Graphic
Automatic
Graphic
Manual

11.6.3  Example 2

Here are two infrared images of an isolator in a power line. To make it easier to analyze the temperature variations in the isolator, the temperature scale in the right image has been changed to values close to the temperature of the isolator.
Graphic
Automatic
Graphic
Manual

11.6.4  Changing the temperature levels

Follow this procedure:

Graphic

11.6.5  Auto-adjusting the image

Follow this procedure:

Graphic

11.6.6  Defining an auto-adjust region

An auto-adjust region sets the top and bottom levels in the temperature scale to the maximum and minimum temperatures in that area. By using the color information only for the relevant temperatures, you will get more details in your area of interest.

Follow this procedure:

11.7  Changing the color distribution

11.7.1  General

You can change the distribution of colors in an image. A different color distribution can make it easier to analyze the image more thoroughly.

11.7.2  Definitions

You can choose from the following color distributions:
  • Temperature Linear: This is an image-displaying method where the color information in the image is distributed linearly to the temperature values of the pixels.
  • Histogram Equalization: This is an image-displaying method that distributes the color information over the existing temperatures of the image. This method of distributing the information can be particularly successful when the image contains few peaks at very high temperature values.
  • Signal Linear: This is an image-displaying method where the color information in the image is distributed linearly to the signal values of the pixels.
  • Digital Detail Enhancement: This is an image-displaying method where high-frequency content in the image, such as edges and corners, are enhanced to increase the visibility of details.

11.7.3  Procedure

Follow this procedure:

11.8  Changing the color palette

11.8.1  General

You can change the palette that is used to display the different temperatures within an image. A different palette can make it easier to analyze the image.

Color palette

Image example

Artic
Graphic
Cool
Graphic
Gray
Graphic
Iron
Graphic
Lava
Graphic
Rainbow
Graphic
Rainbow HC
Graphic
Warm
Graphic

11.8.2  Procedure

Follow this procedure:

11.9  Changing the image modes

11.9.1  General

For some images you can change the image mode.

11.9.2  Types of image modes

Image mode

Image example

Thermal MSX (Multi Spectral Dynamic Imaging): This mode displays an infrared image where the edges of the objects are enhanced. The thermal/photo balance can be adjusted.
Graphic
Thermal: This mode displays a fully infrared image.
Graphic
Thermal Fusion: This mode displays a digital photo where some parts are displayed in infrared, depending on the temperature limits.
Graphic
Thermal Blending: The camera displays a blended image that uses a mix of infrared pixels and digital photo pixels. The thermal/photo balance can be adjusted.
Graphic
Picture in picture: This mode displays an infrared image frame on top of a digital photo.
Graphic
Digital camera: This mode displays a fully digital photo.
Graphic

11.9.3  Procedure

Follow this procedure:

11.10  Working with color alarms and isotherms

11.10.1  General

By using color alarms (isotherms), anomalies can easily be discovered in an infrared image. The isotherm command applies a contrasting color to all pixels with a temperature above, below, or between the set temperature levels. There are also alarm types that are specific to the building trade: humidity and insulation alarms.
You can select the following types of color alarms:
  • Above alarm: This will apply a contrasting color to all pixels with a temperature above the specified temperature level.
  • Below alarm: This will apply a contrasting color to all pixels with a temperature below the specified temperature level.
  • Interval alarm: This will apply a contrasting color to all pixels with a temperature between two specified temperature levels.
  • Humidity alarm: Triggers when a surface where the relative humidity exceeds a preset value is detected.
  • Insulation alarm: Triggers when there is an insulation deficiency in a wall.
  • Custom alarm: This alarm type allows you to manually modify the settings for a standard alarm.
Setting parameters for the activated color alarm are displayed under ALARM in the right pane.
Graphic

11.10.2  Image examples

This table explains the different color alarms (isotherms).

Color alarm

Image

Above alarm
Graphic
Below alarm
Graphic
Interval alarm
Graphic
Humidity alarm
Graphic
Insulation alarm
Graphic

11.10.3  Setting up above and below alarms

Follow this procedure:

11.10.4  Setting up an interval alarm

Follow this procedure:

11.10.5  Setting up a humidity alarm

11.10.5.1  General

The humidity alarm (isotherm) can detect areas where there is a risk of mold growing, or where there is a risk of the humidity falling out as liquid water (i.e., the dew point).

11.10.5.2  Procedure

Follow this procedure:

11.10.6  Setting up an insulation alarm

11.10.6.1  General

The insulation alarm (isotherm) can detect areas where there may be an insulation deficiency in the building. It will trigger when the insulation level falls below a preset value of the energy leakage through the building structure—the so-called thermal index.
Different building codes recommend different values for the thermal index, but typical values are 0.6–0.8 for new buildings. Refer to your national building code for recommendations.

11.10.6.2  Procedure

Follow this procedure:

11.10.7  Setting up a custom alarm

11.10.7.1  General

A custom alarm is an alarm of any of the following types:
  • Above alarm.
  • Below alarm.
  • Interval alarm.
  • Humidity alarm.
  • Insulation alarm.
For these custom alarms, you can specify a number of different parameters manually, compared with using the standard alarms:
  • Background.
  • Colors (semi-transparent or solid colors).
  • Inverted color (for the Interval isotherm only).

11.10.7.2  Procedure

Follow this procedure:

11.11  Changing the local parameters for a measurement tool

11.11.1  General

For accurate measurements, it is important to set the measurement parameters. The measurement parameters stored with the image are displayed in the right pane, under PARAMETERS.
In some situations you may want to change a measurement (object) parameter for one measurement tool only. The reason for this could be that the measurement tool is in front of a significantly more reflective surface than other surfaces in the image, or over an object that is further away than the rest of the objects in the image, and so on.
For more information about object parameters, see section 18 Thermographic measurement techniques.
The following indicators are used when local parameters are activated for a measurement tool:
  • In the image, an asterisk (*) is displayed next to the measurement tool.
    Graphic
  • In the result table of the Image Editor, an icon is displayed next to the measurement value.
    Graphic
  • In result fields and tables in infrared reports, an asterisk (*) is displayed and the local parameter values are included in brackets.
    Graphic

11.11.2  Procedure

Follow this procedure:

11.12  Working with annotations

11.12.1  General

You can save additional information with an infrared image by using annotations. Annotations make reporting and post-processing more efficient, by providing essential information about the image, e.g., conditions and information about where an image is taken.
Some cameras allow you to add annotations directly in the camera, e.g., notes (image descriptions), text, voice, and sketch annotations. These annotations (if available) are displayed in the right pane of the Image Editor. You can also add notes (image descriptions) and text annotations to images using the Image Editor.

11.12.2  About image descriptions

11.12.2.1  What is an image description?

An image description is a brief free-form textual description that is stored in an infrared image file. It uses a standard tag in the *.jpg file format and can be retrieved by other software.
In the Image Editor and FLIR cameras, the image description is called Note.
11.12.2.1.1  Procedure

11.12.3  About text annotations

11.12.3.1  What is a text annotation?

A text annotation is textual information about something in an image and is constructed of a group of information pairs—label and value. The reason for using text annotations is to make reporting and post-processing more efficient by providing essential information about the image, e.g., conditions, photos, and information about where the image was taken.
A text annotation is a proprietary annotation format from FLIR Systems, and the information cannot be retrieved by other vendors’ software. The concept relies heavily on interaction by the user. In the camera, the user can select one of several values for each label. The user can also enter numerical values, and make the text annotation capture measurement values from the screen.

11.12.3.2  Creating a text annotation for an image

Follow this procedure:

12  Working in the Microsoft Word‎ environment

12.1  FLIR Word Add-in‎ screen elements

12.1.1  FLIR tab

After installation of FLIR Report Studio, the FLIR tab appears to the right of the standard tabs in the ribbon of your Microsoft Word documents.
Graphic

12.1.2  Settings menu

The Settings menu includes the following commands:
  • Update page numbers. Click to update the page numbers for fields related to images.
  • Set units. Click to set the preferred temperature and distance units. For more information, see section 12.9 Changing the settings.
  • Select language. Click to select the language. For more information, see section 12.9 Changing the settings.
  • Template categories. (Available when creating a report template.) Click to select a category for the report template. For more information, see section 13.2.5 Selecting a template category.
  • Help. Click to display the Help menu, see section 12.1.2.1 Help menu.

12.1.2.1  Help menu

The Help includes the following commands:
  • Documentation. Click and select Online to view the latest help files from the internet or Offline to view the help files that are installed on your computer.
  • FLIR Store. Click to go to the FLIR Store website.
  • FLIR support Center. Click to go to the FLIR Support Center.
  • License information. Click to display the License Viewer.
  • Check for updates. Click to check for software updates. For more information, see section 15 Software update.
  • About. Click to display the current version of the FLIR Word Add-in.

12.2  Managing objects in the report

12.2.1  General

A report template contains placeholders for objects such as thermal images, digital photos, tables, report properties, etc.
When you create a report based on a report template, these placeholders are automatically populated based on the images you choose to include in the report. You can also insert additional objects and modify their properties after you have launched the report in Microsoft Word, as described in the sections below.
When you create your own report templates, see section 13 Creating report templates, you insert objects and define their properties according to the sections below.

12.2.2  Inserting a thermal image object

A thermal image object is a placeholder that automatically loads a thermal image when a report is created.

Follow this procedure:

12.2.3  Inserting a digital image object

A digital image object is a placeholder for the visual image associated with a thermal image.

Follow this procedure:

12.2.4  Inserting a profile object

12.2.4.1  General

A profile object displays a profile plot for a line tool added to the associated thermal image. The profile plot shows how the temperature results vary over the line tool.

12.2.4.2  Procedure

Follow this procedure:

12.2.5  Inserting a field object

12.2.5.1  General

A field object is a placeholder that automatically displays information associated with a thermal image when a report is created.
A field object consists of a label and a value, e.g., Bx1 Average 42.3 . You can choose to display only the value in the report, e.g., 42.3 .

12.2.5.2  Procedure

Follow this procedure:

12.2.6  Inserting a table object

12.2.6.1  General

A table object is a placeholder that automatically displays a table with certain information associated with a thermal image when a report is created.
The following table objects are available:
  • Measurements.
  • Parameters.
  • METERLiNK.
  • Geolocation.
  • Camera Info.
  • File Info.
  • Text Annotations.
  • Notes.
  • Formulas.
In addition to the built-in table objects, you can create your own table objects. For more information, see section 12.2.6.3 Creating a custom table object.
You can also insert a summary table, including information about all thermal images in the report. For more information, see section 12.2.6.4 Inserting a summary table.

12.2.6.2  Inserting a table object

Follow this procedure:

12.2.6.3  Creating a custom table object

If the built-in table objects do not meet your needs, you can create your own table objects.

Follow this procedure:

12.2.6.4  Inserting a summary table

A summary table object is a placeholder that automatically displays a table with certain information on all of the thermal images in the report.

Follow this procedure:

12.2.7  Inserting a report properties object

A report properties object is a placeholder that automatically displays customer information and information about the inspection when a report is created.

Follow this procedure:

12.2.8  Resizing objects

12.2.8.1  Resizing an image or profile object

Follow this procedure:

12.2.8.2  Resizing a table object

Follow this procedure:

12.2.9  Replacing an image

You can replace an image in the report, while keeping all connections to other objects.

Follow this procedure:

12.2.10  Deleting objects

12.2.10.1  Deleting an image or profile object

Follow this procedure:

12.2.10.2  Deleting a field object

Follow this procedure:

12.2.10.3  Deleting a table object

Follow this procedure:

12.3  Editing an image

You can edit thermal images directly from the report using the FLIR Report StudioImage Editor.

Follow this procedure:

12.4  Working with formulas

12.4.1  General

The FLIR Word Add-in allows you to carry out advanced calculations on various items in the infrared image. A formula can contain all common mathematical operators and functions (+, –, ×, ÷, etc). Also, numerical constants such as π can be used.
Most importantly, references to measurement results, other formulas, and other numerical data can be inserted into formulas.
The formulas you create will be available in the FLIR Word Add-in and can be inserted in field and table objects in future reports.
You can export a formula to a text file. This text file can, for example, be sent to another computer and will after import be available in the FLIR Word Add-in on that computer. For more information, see section 12.4.4 Exporting and importing formulas.
  • A formula can operate only on a single infrared image: it cannot calculate, for example, differences between two infrared images.
  • You can use any existing METERLiNK data in the infrared image as a value in a formula, in the same way as you would use an infrared measurement value. METERLiNK data can be stored in the infrared image by using an external FLIR/Extech meter—such as a clamp meter or a moisture meter—together with the infrared camera.

12.4.2  Creating a simple formula

Creating a formula that calculates the temperature difference between two spots

12.4.3  Creating a conditional formula

For some applications, you may, for example, want to display the result of a calculation in a green font color if the result is lower than a critical value, and in a red font color if the result is higher than the critical value. You do this by creating a conditional formula using the IF statement.
The procedure below describes how you set up a conditional formula that displays the result from a temperature difference formula in red if the value is higher than 2.0 degrees, and in green if the value is lower than 2.0 degrees.

Creating a conditional formula using the IF statement

12.4.4  Exporting and importing formulas

You can export one or more formulas to a text file. This text file can, for example, be sent to another computer and then be imported to the FLIR Word Add-in on that computer.

12.5  Document properties

12.5.1  General

When creating an infrared report, the FLIR program extracts the Microsoft Word document properties for the report template and inserts these properties into corresponding Microsoft Word fields in the final report.
You can use these document properties to automate several time-consuming tasks when creating a report. For example, you may want to automatically add information such as the name, address, and e-mail address of the inspection site, the model name of the camera that you are using, and your e-mail address.

12.5.2  Types of document properties

There are two different types of document properties:
  • Summary document properties.
  • Custom document properties.
For the former, you can only change the values, but for the latter you can change both the labels and the values.

12.5.3  Creating and editing Microsoft Word‎ document properties

Creating and editing document properties

12.6  Creating a report

You can easily and efficiently create an infrared report using the FLIR Report Studio wizard.

Follow this procedure:

12.7  Exporting a report

Before you send the infrared report to your client, you can export it in one of the following formats:
  • Flat DocX: This exports the report as a flat report with the suffix “_flat”. A flat report can still be edited using ordinary Microsoft Word features, but it is no longer possible to manage the image, field, and table objects.
  • PDF: This exports the report as a non-editable PDF report.

Follow this procedure:

12.8  Creating a report template

You can create your own report templates using the FLIR Report StudioTemplate Editor.

Follow this procedure:

12.9  Changing the settings

You can change the units and language settings.

Follow this procedure:

12.10  Help menu

The Help menu includes links to support and training sources, license information, check for updates, etc.
The Help menu is available on the FLIR tab under Settings.

13  Creating report templates

13.1  General

FLIR Report Studio ships with several different report templates (Microsoft Word *.dotx files). If these templates do not meet your needs, you can create your own custom infrared report templates.

13.1.1  Few or many report templates?

It is not uncommon for a specific template to always be used for a particular customer. If this is the case, you may want to include your customer’s company-specific information in the template, rather than entering it manually after the infrared report has been generated.
However, if infrared reports for several of your customers could be created using one template, or perhaps just a few, company-specific information should probably not be included in the template, since that kind of information can easily be entered when generating the report.

13.1.2  Typical structure

An infrared report template usually consists of the following types of sections:
  • INTRO: The front cover that, for example, can include your company logo and elements of corporate identity, the title of the report, the customer’s name and address, a summary table, and any additional artwork or information that you want to include.
  • DATA: A number of different pages, containing combinations of thermal image objects, digital image objects, field objects, table objects, etc. Multiple DATA sections with different types of content, e.g., “IR only”, Visual only”, ”Two IR”, and “Two IR+Visual”, can be included.
  • FINAL: Your conclusions, recommendations, diagnosis, and summary description.

13.1.3  A note about working in the Microsoft Word‎ environment

Due to the fact that the FLIR Word Add-in is an add-in to Microsoft Word, the existing features you usually use when creating a Microsoft Word document template can be used when creating your report templates.
The FLIR Word Add-in adds a number of commands that are specific to the area of infrared imaging and reporting. These commands are available on the FLIR tab. You use these features, along with the usual Microsoft Word features, when you create infrared report templates.

13.2  Creating a custom infrared report template

You can create a report template in different ways:
  • Customize a basic report template.
  • Modify an existing report template.

13.2.1  Customizing a basic report template

Follow this procedure:

13.2.2  Modifying an existing template—starting from the FLIR Word Add-in‎

Follow this procedure:

13.2.3  Modifying an existing template—starting from the FLIR Report Studio‎ wizard

Follow this procedure:

13.2.4  Adding multiple DATA sections

You can add one or more new DATA sections to the report template, with different types of content, e.g., “IR only”, Visual only”, ”Two IR”, and “Two IR+Visual”.
When using a template with multiple DATA sections in the FLIR Report Studio wizard, a drop-down list is displayed, allowing you to select which section to add images to, see section 9.3.2 Image window.

Follow this procedure:

13.2.5  Selecting a template category

You can select one or more categories for the report template.
When saved and imported to the FLIR Report Studio wizard, the report template will appear under the selected category in the left pane of the wizard, see section 9.3.1 Template window.

Follow this procedure:

14  Supported file formats

14.1  Radiometric file formats

FLIR Report Studio supports the following radiometric file formats:
  • FLIR Systems radiometric *.jpg.

14.2  Non-radiometric file formats

FLIR Report Studio supports the following non-radiometric file formats:
  • *.jpg.
  • *.mp4 (video files).
  • *.avi (video files).
  • *.pdf (reports).
  • *.docx (as reports).
  • *.dotx (as templates).

15  Software update

15.1  General

You can update FLIR Report Studio with the latest service packs. This can be done from the FLIR Report Studio wizard and from the FLIR Word Add-in.

15.2  Procedure

Follow this procedure:

16  About FLIR Systems

FLIR Systems was established in 1978 to pioneer the development of high-performance infrared imaging systems, and is the world leader in the design, manufacture, and marketing of thermal imaging systems for a wide variety of commercial, industrial, and government applications. Today, FLIR Systems embraces five major companies with outstanding achievements in infrared technology since 1958—the Swedish AGEMA Infrared Systems (formerly AGA Infrared Systems), the three United States companies Indigo Systems, FSI, and Inframetrics, and the French company Cedip.
Since 2007, FLIR Systems has acquired several companies with world-leading expertise in sensor technologies:
  • Extech Instruments (2007)
  • Ifara Tecnologías (2008)
  • Salvador Imaging (2009)
  • OmniTech Partners (2009)
  • Directed Perception (2009)
  • Raymarine (2010)
  • ICx Technologies (2010)
  • TackTick Marine Digital Instruments (2011)
  • Aerius Photonics (2011)
  • Lorex Technology (2012)
  • Traficon (2012)
  • MARSS (2013)
  • DigitalOptics micro-optics business (2013)
  • DVTEL (2015)
  • Point Grey Research (2016)
  • Prox Dynamics (2016)
Graphic

Figure 16.1  Patent documents from the early 1960s

FLIR Systems has three manufacturing plants in the United States (Portland, OR, Boston, MA, Santa Barbara, CA) and one in Sweden (Stockholm). Since 2007 there is also a manufacturing plant in Tallinn, Estonia. Direct sales offices in Belgium, Brazil, China, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Korea, Sweden, and the USA—together with a worldwide network of agents and distributors—support our international customer base.
FLIR Systems is at the forefront of innovation in the infrared camera industry. We anticipate market demand by constantly improving our existing cameras and developing new ones. The company has set milestones in product design and development such as the introduction of the first battery-operated portable camera for industrial inspections, and the first uncooled infrared camera, to mention just two innovations.
Graphic

Figure 16.2  1969: Thermovision Model 661. The camera weighed approximately 25 kg (55 lb.), the oscilloscope 20 kg (44 lb.), and the tripod 15 kg (33 lb.). The operator also needed a 220 VAC generator set, and a 10 L (2.6 US gallon) jar with liquid nitrogen. To the left of the oscilloscope the Polaroid attachment (6 kg (13 lb.)) can be seen.

Graphic

Figure 16.3  2015: FLIR One, an accessory to iPhone and Android mobile phones. Weight: 90 g (3.2 oz.).

FLIR Systems manufactures all vital mechanical and electronic components of the camera systems itself. From detector design and manufacturing, to lenses and system electronics, to final testing and calibration, all production steps are carried out and supervised by our own engineers. The in-depth expertise of these infrared specialists ensures the accuracy and reliability of all vital components that are assembled into your infrared camera.

16.1  More than just an infrared camera

At FLIR Systems we recognize that our job is to go beyond just producing the best infrared camera systems. We are committed to enabling all users of our infrared camera systems to work more productively by providing them with the most powerful camera–software combination. Especially tailored software for predictive maintenance, R & D, and process monitoring is developed in-house. Most software is available in a wide variety of languages.
We support all our infrared cameras with a wide variety of accessories to adapt your equipment to the most demanding infrared applications.

16.2  Sharing our knowledge

Although our cameras are designed to be very user-friendly, there is a lot more to thermography than just knowing how to handle a camera. Therefore, FLIR Systems has founded the Infrared Training Center (ITC), a separate business unit, that provides certified training courses. Attending one of the ITC courses will give you a truly hands-on learning experience.
The staff of the ITC are also there to provide you with any application support you may need in putting infrared theory into practice.

16.3  Supporting our customers

FLIR Systems operates a worldwide service network to keep your camera running at all times. If you discover a problem with your camera, local service centers have all the equipment and expertise to solve it within the shortest possible time. Therefore, there is no need to send your camera to the other side of the world or to talk to someone who does not speak your language.

17  Terms, laws, and definitions

Term

Definition

Absorption and emission1
The capacity or ability of an object to absorb incident radiated energy is always the same as the capacity to emit its own energy as radiation
Apparent temperature
uncompensated reading from an infrared instrument, containing all radiation incident on the instrument, regardless of its sources2
Color palette
assigns different colors to indicate specific levels of apparent temperature. Palettes can provide high or low contrast, depending on the colors used in them
Conduction
direct transfer of thermal energy from molecule to molecule, caused by collisions between the molecules
Convection
heat transfer mode where a fluid is brought into motion, either by gravity or another force, thereby transferring heat from one place to another
Diagnostics
examination of symptoms and syndromes to determine the nature of faults or failures3
Direction of heat transfer4
Heat will spontaneously flow from hotter to colder, thereby transferring thermal energy from one place to another5
Emissivity
ratio of the power radiated by real bodies to the power that is radiated by a blackbody at the same temperature and at the same wavelength6
Energy conservation7
The sum of the total energy contents in a closed system is constant
Exitant radiation
radiation that leaves the surface of an object, regardless of its original sources
Heat
thermal energy that is transferred between two objects (systems) due to their difference in temperature
Heat transfer rate8
The heat transfer rate under steady state conditions is directly proportional to the thermal conductivity of the object, the cross-sectional area of the object through which the heat flows, and the temperature difference between the two ends of the object. It is inversely proportional to the length, or thickness, of the object9
Incident radiation
radiation that strikes an object from its surroundings
IR thermography
process of acquisition and analysis of thermal information from non-contact thermal imaging devices
Isotherm
replaces certain colors in the scale with a contrasting color. It marks an interval of equal apparent temperature10
Qualitative thermography
thermography that relies on the analysis of thermal patterns to reveal the existence of and to locate the position of anomalies11
Quantitative thermography
thermography that uses temperature measurement to determine the seriousness of an anomaly, in order to establish repair priorities12
Radiative heat transfer
Heat transfer by the emission and absorption of thermal radiation
Reflected apparent temperature
apparent temperature of the environment that is reflected by the target into the IR camera13
Spatial resolution
ability of an IR camera to resolve small objects or details
Temperature
measure of the average kinetic energy of the molecules and atoms that make up the substance
Thermal energy
total kinetic energy of the molecules that make up the object14
Thermal gradient
gradual change in temperature over distance15
Thermal tuning
process of putting the colors of the image on the object of analysis, in order to maximize contrast

18  Thermographic measurement techniques

18.1  Introduction

An infrared camera measures and images the emitted infrared radiation from an object. The fact that radiation is a function of object surface temperature makes it possible for the camera to calculate and display this temperature.
However, the radiation measured by the camera does not only depend on the temperature of the object but is also a function of the emissivity. Radiation also originates from the surroundings and is reflected in the object. The radiation from the object and the reflected radiation will also be influenced by the absorption of the atmosphere.
To measure temperature accurately, it is therefore necessary to compensate for the effects of a number of different radiation sources. This is done on-line automatically by the camera. The following object parameters must, however, be supplied for the camera:
  • The emissivity of the object
  • The reflected apparent temperature
  • The distance between the object and the camera
  • The relative humidity
  • Temperature of the atmosphere

18.2  Emissivity

The most important object parameter to set correctly is the emissivity which, in short, is a measure of how much radiation is emitted from the object, compared to that from a perfect blackbody of the same temperature.
Normally, object materials and surface treatments exhibit emissivity ranging from approximately 0.1 to 0.95. A highly polished (mirror) surface falls below 0.1, while an oxidized or painted surface has a higher emissivity. Oil-based paint, regardless of color in the visible spectrum, has an emissivity over 0.9 in the infrared. Human skin exhibits an emissivity 0.97 to 0.98.
Non-oxidized metals represent an extreme case of perfect opacity and high reflexivity, which does not vary greatly with wavelength. Consequently, the emissivity of metals is low – only increasing with temperature. For non-metals, emissivity tends to be high, and decreases with temperature.

18.2.1  Finding the emissivity of a sample

18.2.1.1  Step 1: Determining reflected apparent temperature

Use one of the following two methods to determine reflected apparent temperature:
18.2.1.1.1  Method 1: Direct method
You can not use a thermocouple to measure reflected apparent temperature, because a thermocouple measures temperature, but apparent temperatrure is radiation intensity.
18.2.1.1.2  Method 2: Reflector method

18.2.1.2  Step 2: Determining the emissivity

18.3  Reflected apparent temperature

This parameter is used to compensate for the radiation reflected in the object. If the emissivity is low and the object temperature relatively far from that of the reflected it will be important to set and compensate for the reflected apparent temperature correctly.

18.4  Distance

The distance is the distance between the object and the front lens of the camera. This parameter is used to compensate for the following two facts:
  • That radiation from the target is absorbed by the atmosphere between the object and the camera.
  • That radiation from the atmosphere itself is detected by the camera.

18.5  Relative humidity

The camera can also compensate for the fact that the transmittance is also dependent on the relative humidity of the atmosphere. To do this set the relative humidity to the correct value. For short distances and normal humidity the relative humidity can normally be left at a default value of 50%.

18.6  Other parameters

In addition, some cameras and analysis programs from FLIR Systems allow you to compensate for the following parameters:
  • Atmospheric temperature – i.e. the temperature of the atmosphere between the camera and the target
  • External optics temperature – i.e. the temperature of any external lenses or windows used in front of the camera
  • External optics transmittance – i.e. the transmission of any external lenses or windows used in front of the camera

19  History of infrared technology

Before the year 1800, the existence of the infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum wasn't even suspected. The original significance of the infrared spectrum, or simply ‘the infrared’ as it is often called, as a form of heat radiation is perhaps less obvious today than it was at the time of its discovery by Herschel in 1800.
Graphic

Figure 19.1  Sir William Herschel (1738–1822)

The discovery was made accidentally during the search for a new optical material. Sir William Herschel – Royal Astronomer to King George III of England, and already famous for his discovery of the planet Uranus – was searching for an optical filter material to reduce the brightness of the sun’s image in telescopes during solar observations. While testing different samples of colored glass which gave similar reductions in brightness he was intrigued to find that some of the samples passed very little of the sun’s heat, while others passed so much heat that he risked eye damage after only a few seconds’ observation.
Herschel was soon convinced of the necessity of setting up a systematic experiment, with the objective of finding a single material that would give the desired reduction in brightness as well as the maximum reduction in heat. He began the experiment by actually repeating Newton’s prism experiment, but looking for the heating effect rather than the visual distribution of intensity in the spectrum. He first blackened the bulb of a sensitive mercury-in-glass thermometer with ink, and with this as his radiation detector he proceeded to test the heating effect of the various colors of the spectrum formed on the top of a table by passing sunlight through a glass prism. Other thermometers, placed outside the sun’s rays, served as controls.
As the blackened thermometer was moved slowly along the colors of the spectrum, the temperature readings showed a steady increase from the violet end to the red end. This was not entirely unexpected, since the Italian researcher, Landriani, in a similar experiment in 1777 had observed much the same effect. It was Herschel, however, who was the first to recognize that there must be a point where the heating effect reaches a maximum, and that measurements confined to the visible portion of the spectrum failed to locate this point.
Graphic

Figure 19.2  Marsilio Landriani (1746–1815)

Moving the thermometer into the dark region beyond the red end of the spectrum, Herschel confirmed that the heating continued to increase. The maximum point, when he found it, lay well beyond the red end – in what is known today as the ‘infrared wavelengths’.
When Herschel revealed his discovery, he referred to this new portion of the electromagnetic spectrum as the ‘thermometrical spectrum’. The radiation itself he sometimes referred to as ‘dark heat’, or simply ‘the invisible rays’. Ironically, and contrary to popular opinion, it wasn't Herschel who originated the term ‘infrared’. The word only began to appear in print around 75 years later, and it is still unclear who should receive credit as the originator.
Herschel’s use of glass in the prism of his original experiment led to some early controversies with his contemporaries about the actual existence of the infrared wavelengths. Different investigators, in attempting to confirm his work, used various types of glass indiscriminately, having different transparencies in the infrared. Through his later experiments, Herschel was aware of the limited transparency of glass to the newly-discovered thermal radiation, and he was forced to conclude that optics for the infrared would probably be doomed to the use of reflective elements exclusively (i.e. plane and curved mirrors). Fortunately, this proved to be true only until 1830, when the Italian investigator, Melloni, made his great discovery that naturally occurring rock salt (NaCl) – which was available in large enough natural crystals to be made into lenses and prisms – is remarkably transparent to the infrared. The result was that rock salt became the principal infrared optical material, and remained so for the next hundred years, until the art of synthetic crystal growing was mastered in the 1930’s.
Graphic

Figure 19.3  Macedonio Melloni (1798–1854)

Thermometers, as radiation detectors, remained unchallenged until 1829, the year Nobili invented the thermocouple. (Herschel’s own thermometer could be read to 0.2 °C (0.036 °F), and later models were able to be read to 0.05 °C (0.09 °F)). Then a breakthrough occurred; Melloni connected a number of thermocouples in series to form the first thermopile. The new device was at least 40 times as sensitive as the best thermometer of the day for detecting heat radiation – capable of detecting the heat from a person standing three meters away.
The first so-called ‘heat-picture’ became possible in 1840, the result of work by Sir John Herschel, son of the discoverer of the infrared and a famous astronomer in his own right. Based upon the differential evaporation of a thin film of oil when exposed to a heat pattern focused upon it, the thermal image could be seen by reflected light where the interference effects of the oil film made the image visible to the eye. Sir John also managed to obtain a primitive record of the thermal image on paper, which he called a ‘thermograph’.
Graphic

Figure 19.4  Samuel P. Langley (1834–1906)

The improvement of infrared-detector sensitivity progressed slowly. Another major breakthrough, made by Langley in 1880, was the invention of the bolometer. This consisted of a thin blackened strip of platinum connected in one arm of a Wheatstone bridge circuit upon which the infrared radiation was focused and to which a sensitive galvanometer responded. This instrument is said to have been able to detect the heat from a cow at a distance of 400 meters.
An English scientist, Sir James Dewar, first introduced the use of liquefied gases as cooling agents (such as liquid nitrogen with a temperature of –196°C (–320.8°F)) in low temperature research. In 1892 he invented a unique vacuum insulating container in which it is possible to store liquefied gases for entire days. The common ‘thermos bottle’, used for storing hot and cold drinks, is based upon his invention.
Between the years 1900 and 1920, the inventors of the world ‘discovered’ the infrared. Many patents were issued for devices to detect personnel, artillery, aircraft, ships – and even icebergs. The first operating systems, in the modern sense, began to be developed during the 1914–18 war, when both sides had research programs devoted to the military exploitation of the infrared. These programs included experimental systems for enemy intrusion/detection, remote temperature sensing, secure communications, and ‘flying torpedo’ guidance. An infrared search system tested during this period was able to detect an approaching airplane at a distance of 1.5 km (0.94 miles), or a person more than 300 meters (984 ft.) away.
The most sensitive systems up to this time were all based upon variations of the bolometer idea, but the period between the two wars saw the development of two revolutionary new infrared detectors: the image converter and the photon detector. At first, the image converter received the greatest attention by the military, because it enabled an observer for the first time in history to literally ‘see in the dark’. However, the sensitivity of the image converter was limited to the near infrared wavelengths, and the most interesting military targets (i.e. enemy soldiers) had to be illuminated by infrared search beams. Since this involved the risk of giving away the observer’s position to a similarly-equipped enemy observer, it is understandable that military interest in the image converter eventually faded.
The tactical military disadvantages of so-called 'active’ (i.e. search beam-equipped) thermal imaging systems provided impetus following the 1939–45 war for extensive secret military infrared-research programs into the possibilities of developing ‘passive’ (no search beam) systems around the extremely sensitive photon detector. During this period, military secrecy regulations completely prevented disclosure of the status of infrared-imaging technology. This secrecy only began to be lifted in the middle of the 1950’s, and from that time adequate thermal-imaging devices finally began to be available to civilian science and industry.

20  Theory of thermography

20.1  Introduction

The subjects of infrared radiation and the related technique of thermography are still new to many who will use an infrared camera. In this section the theory behind thermography will be given.

20.2  The electromagnetic spectrum

The electromagnetic spectrum is divided arbitrarily into a number of wavelength regions, called bands, distinguished by the methods used to produce and detect the radiation. There is no fundamental difference between radiation in the different bands of the electromagnetic spectrum. They are all governed by the same laws and the only differences are those due to differences in wavelength.
Graphic

Figure 20.1  The electromagnetic spectrum. 1: X-ray; 2: UV; 3: Visible; 4: IR; 5: Microwaves; 6: Radiowaves.

Thermography makes use of the infrared spectral band. At the short-wavelength end the boundary lies at the limit of visual perception, in the deep red. At the long-wavelength end it merges with the microwave radio wavelengths, in the millimeter range.
The infrared band is often further subdivided into four smaller bands, the boundaries of which are also arbitrarily chosen. They include: the near infrared (0.75–3 μm), the middle infrared (3–6 μm), the far infrared (6–15 μm) and the extreme infrared (15–100 μm). Although the wavelengths are given in μm (micrometers), other units are often still used to measure wavelength in this spectral region, e.g. nanometer (nm) and Ångström (Å).
The relationships between the different wavelength measurements is:
formula

20.3  Blackbody radiation

A blackbody is defined as an object which absorbs all radiation that impinges on it at any wavelength. The apparent misnomer black relating to an object emitting radiation is explained by Kirchhoff’s Law (after Gustav Robert Kirchhoff, 1824–1887), which states that a body capable of absorbing all radiation at any wavelength is equally capable in the emission of radiation.
Graphic

Figure 20.2  Gustav Robert Kirchhoff (1824–1887)

The construction of a blackbody source is, in principle, very simple. The radiation characteristics of an aperture in an isotherm cavity made of an opaque absorbing material represents almost exactly the properties of a blackbody. A practical application of the principle to the construction of a perfect absorber of radiation consists of a box that is light tight except for an aperture in one of the sides. Any radiation which then enters the hole is scattered and absorbed by repeated reflections so only an infinitesimal fraction can possibly escape. The blackness which is obtained at the aperture is nearly equal to a blackbody and almost perfect for all wavelengths.
By providing such an isothermal cavity with a suitable heater it becomes what is termed a cavity radiator. An isothermal cavity heated to a uniform temperature generates blackbody radiation, the characteristics of which are determined solely by the temperature of the cavity. Such cavity radiators are commonly used as sources of radiation in temperature reference standards in the laboratory for calibrating thermographic instruments, such as a FLIR Systems camera for example.
If the temperature of blackbody radiation increases to more than 525°C (977°F), the source begins to be visible so that it appears to the eye no longer black. This is the incipient red heat temperature of the radiator, which then becomes orange or yellow as the temperature increases further. In fact, the definition of the so-called color temperature of an object is the temperature to which a blackbody would have to be heated to have the same appearance.
Now consider three expressions that describe the radiation emitted from a blackbody.

20.3.1  Planck’s law

Graphic

Figure 20.3  Max Planck (1858–1947)

Max Planck (1858–1947) was able to describe the spectral distribution of the radiation from a blackbody by means of the following formula:
formula
where:
Wλb
Blackbody spectral radiant emittance at wavelength λ.
c
Velocity of light = 3 × 108 m/s
h
Planck’s constant = 6.6 × 10-34 Joule sec.
k
Boltzmann’s constant = 1.4 × 10-23 Joule/K.
T
Absolute temperature (K) of a blackbody.
λ
Wavelength (μm).
Planck’s formula, when plotted graphically for various temperatures, produces a family of curves. Following any particular Planck curve, the spectral emittance is zero at λ = 0, then increases rapidly to a maximum at a wavelength λmax and after passing it approaches zero again at very long wavelengths. The higher the temperature, the shorter the wavelength at which maximum occurs.
Graphic

Figure 20.4  Blackbody spectral radiant emittance according to Planck’s law, plotted for various absolute temperatures. 1: Spectral radiant emittance (W/cm2 × 103(μm)); 2: Wavelength (μm)

20.3.2  Wien’s displacement law

By differentiating Planck’s formula with respect to λ, and finding the maximum, we have:
formula
This is Wien’s formula (after Wilhelm Wien, 1864–1928), which expresses mathematically the common observation that colors vary from red to orange or yellow as the temperature of a thermal radiator increases. The wavelength of the color is the same as the wavelength calculated for λmax. A good approximation of the value of λmax for a given blackbody temperature is obtained by applying the rule-of-thumb 3 000/T μm. Thus, a very hot star such as Sirius (11 000 K), emitting bluish-white light, radiates with the peak of spectral radiant emittance occurring within the invisible ultraviolet spectrum, at wavelength 0.27 μm.
Graphic

Figure 20.5  Wilhelm Wien (1864–1928)

The sun (approx. 6 000 K) emits yellow light, peaking at about 0.5 μm in the middle of the visible light spectrum.
At room temperature (300 K) the peak of radiant emittance lies at 9.7 μm, in the far infrared, while at the temperature of liquid nitrogen (77 K) the maximum of the almost insignificant amount of radiant emittance occurs at 38 μm, in the extreme infrared wavelengths.
Graphic

Figure 20.6  Planckian curves plotted on semi-log scales from 100 K to 1000 K. The dotted line represents the locus of maximum radiant emittance at each temperature as described by Wien's displacement law. 1: Spectral radiant emittance (W/cm2 (μm)); 2: Wavelength (μm).

20.3.3  Stefan-Boltzmann's law

By integrating Planck’s formula from λ = 0 to λ = ∞, we obtain the total radiant emittance (Wb) of a blackbody:
formula
This is the Stefan-Boltzmann formula (after Josef Stefan, 1835–1893, and Ludwig Boltzmann, 1844–1906), which states that the total emissive power of a blackbody is proportional to the fourth power of its absolute temperature. Graphically, Wb represents the area below the Planck curve for a particular temperature. It can be shown that the radiant emittance in the interval λ = 0 to λmax is only 25% of the total, which represents about the amount of the sun’s radiation which lies inside the visible light spectrum.
Graphic

Figure 20.7  Josef Stefan (1835–1893), and Ludwig Boltzmann (1844–1906)

Using the Stefan-Boltzmann formula to calculate the power radiated by the human body, at a temperature of 300 K and an external surface area of approx. 2 m2, we obtain 1 kW. This power loss could not be sustained if it were not for the compensating absorption of radiation from surrounding surfaces, at room temperatures which do not vary too drastically from the temperature of the body – or, of course, the addition of clothing.

20.3.4  Non-blackbody emitters

So far, only blackbody radiators and blackbody radiation have been discussed. However, real objects almost never comply with these laws over an extended wavelength region – although they may approach the blackbody behavior in certain spectral intervals. For example, a certain type of white paint may appear perfectly white in the visible light spectrum, but becomes distinctly gray at about 2 μm, and beyond 3 μm it is almost black.
There are three processes which can occur that prevent a real object from acting like a blackbody: a fraction of the incident radiation α may be absorbed, a fraction ρ may be reflected, and a fraction τ may be transmitted. Since all of these factors are more or less wavelength dependent, the subscript λ is used to imply the spectral dependence of their definitions. Thus:
  • The spectral absorptance αλ= the ratio of the spectral radiant power absorbed by an object to that incident upon it.
  • The spectral reflectance ρλ = the ratio of the spectral radiant power reflected by an object to that incident upon it.
  • The spectral transmittance τλ = the ratio of the spectral radiant power transmitted through an object to that incident upon it.
The sum of these three factors must always add up to the whole at any wavelength, so we have the relation:
formula
For opaque materials τλ = 0 and the relation simplifies to:
formula
Another factor, called the emissivity, is required to describe the fraction ε of the radiant emittance of a blackbody produced by an object at a specific temperature. Thus, we have the definition:
The spectral emissivity ελ= the ratio of the spectral radiant power from an object to that from a blackbody at the same temperature and wavelength.
Expressed mathematically, this can be written as the ratio of the spectral emittance of the object to that of a blackbody as follows:
formula
Generally speaking, there are three types of radiation source, distinguished by the ways in which the spectral emittance of each varies with wavelength.
  • A blackbody, for which ελ = ε = 1
  • A graybody, for which ελ = ε = constant less than 1
  • A selective radiator, for which ε varies with wavelength
According to Kirchhoff’s law, for any material the spectral emissivity and spectral absorptance of a body are equal at any specified temperature and wavelength. That is:
formula
From this we obtain, for an opaque material (since αλ + ρλ = 1):
formula
For highly polished materials ελ approaches zero, so that for a perfectly reflecting material (i.e. a perfect mirror) we have:
formula
For a graybody radiator, the Stefan-Boltzmann formula becomes:
formula
This states that the total emissive power of a graybody is the same as a blackbody at the same temperature reduced in proportion to the value of ε from the graybody.
Graphic

Figure 20.8  Spectral radiant emittance of three types of radiators. 1: Spectral radiant emittance; 2: Wavelength; 3: Blackbody; 4: Selective radiator; 5: Graybody.

Graphic

Figure 20.9  Spectral emissivity of three types of radiators. 1: Spectral emissivity; 2: Wavelength; 3: Blackbody; 4: Graybody; 5: Selective radiator.

20.4  Infrared semi-transparent materials

Consider now a non-metallic, semi-transparent body – let us say, in the form of a thick flat plate of plastic material. When the plate is heated, radiation generated within its volume must work its way toward the surfaces through the material in which it is partially absorbed. Moreover, when it arrives at the surface, some of it is reflected back into the interior. The back-reflected radiation is again partially absorbed, but some of it arrives at the other surface, through which most of it escapes; part of it is reflected back again. Although the progressive reflections become weaker and weaker they must all be added up when the total emittance of the plate is sought. When the resulting geometrical series is summed, the effective emissivity of a semi-transparent plate is obtained as:
formula
When the plate becomes opaque this formula is reduced to the single formula:
formula
This last relation is a particularly convenient one, because it is often easier to measure reflectance than to measure emissivity directly.

21  The measurement formula

As already mentioned, when viewing an object, the camera receives radiation not only from the object itself. It also collects radiation from the surroundings reflected via the object surface. Both these radiation contributions become attenuated to some extent by the atmosphere in the measurement path. To this comes a third radiation contribution from the atmosphere itself.
This description of the measurement situation, as illustrated in the figure below, is so far a fairly true description of the real conditions. What has been neglected could for instance be sun light scattering in the atmosphere or stray radiation from intense radiation sources outside the field of view. Such disturbances are difficult to quantify, however, in most cases they are fortunately small enough to be neglected. In case they are not negligible, the measurement configuration is likely to be such that the risk for disturbance is obvious, at least to a trained operator. It is then his responsibility to modify the measurement situation to avoid the disturbance e.g. by changing the viewing direction, shielding off intense radiation sources etc.
Accepting the description above, we can use the figure below to derive a formula for the calculation of the object temperature from the calibrated camera output.
Graphic

Figure 21.1  A schematic representation of the general thermographic measurement situation.1: Surroundings; 2: Object; 3: Atmosphere; 4: Camera

Assume that the received radiation power W from a blackbody source of temperature Tsource on short distance generates a camera output signal Usource that is proportional to the power input (power linear camera). We can then write (Equation 1):
formula
or, with simplified notation:
formula
where C is a constant.
Should the source be a graybody with emittance ε, the received radiation would consequently be εWsource.
We are now ready to write the three collected radiation power terms:
The total received radiation power can now be written (Equation 2):
formula
We multiply each term by the constant C of Equation 1 and replace the CW products by the corresponding U according to the same equation, and get (Equation 3):
formula
Solve Equation 3 for Uobj (Equation 4):
formula
This is the general measurement formula used in all the FLIR Systems thermographic equipment. The voltages of the formula are:

Table 21.1  Voltages

Uobj
Calculated camera output voltage for a blackbody of temperature Tobj i.e. a voltage that can be directly converted into true requested object temperature.
Utot
Measured camera output voltage for the actual case.
Urefl
Theoretical camera output voltage for a blackbody of temperature Trefl according to the calibration.
Uatm
Theoretical camera output voltage for a blackbody of temperature Tatm according to the calibration.
The operator has to supply a number of parameter values for the calculation:
  • the object emittance ε,
  • the relative humidity,
  • Tatm
  • object distance (Dobj)
  • the (effective) temperature of the object surroundings, or the reflected ambient temperature Trefl, and
  • the temperature of the atmosphere Tatm
This task could sometimes be a heavy burden for the operator since there are normally no easy ways to find accurate values of emittance and atmospheric transmittance for the actual case. The two temperatures are normally less of a problem provided the surroundings do not contain large and intense radiation sources.
A natural question in this connection is: How important is it to know the right values of these parameters? It could though be of interest to get a feeling for this problem already here by looking into some different measurement cases and compare the relative magnitudes of the three radiation terms. This will give indications about when it is important to use correct values of which parameters.
The figures below illustrates the relative magnitudes of the three radiation contributions for three different object temperatures, two emittances, and two spectral ranges: SW and LW. Remaining parameters have the following fixed values:
  • τ = 0.88
  • Trefl = +20°C (+68°F)
  • Tatm = +20°C (+68°F)
It is obvious that measurement of low object temperatures are more critical than measuring high temperatures since the ‘disturbing’ radiation sources are relatively much stronger in the first case. Should also the object emittance be low, the situation would be still more difficult.
We have finally to answer a question about the importance of being allowed to use the calibration curve above the highest calibration point, what we call extrapolation. Imagine that we in a certain case measure Utot = 4.5 volts. The highest calibration point for the camera was in the order of 4.1 volts, a value unknown to the operator. Thus, even if the object happened to be a blackbody, i.e. Uobj = Utot, we are actually performing extrapolation of the calibration curve when converting 4.5 volts into temperature.
Let us now assume that the object is not black, it has an emittance of 0.75, and the transmittance is 0.92. We also assume that the two second terms of Equation 4 amount to 0.5 volts together. Computation of Uobj by means of Equation 4 then results in Uobj = 4.5 / 0.75 / 0.92 – 0.5 = 6.0. This is a rather extreme extrapolation, particularly when considering that the video amplifier might limit the output to 5 volts! Note, though, that the application of the calibration curve is a theoretical procedure where no electronic or other limitations exist. We trust that if there had been no signal limitations in the camera, and if it had been calibrated far beyond 5 volts, the resulting curve would have been very much the same as our real curve extrapolated beyond 4.1 volts, provided the calibration algorithm is based on radiation physics, like the FLIR Systems algorithm. Of course there must be a limit to such extrapolations.
Graphic

Figure 21.2  Relative magnitudes of radiation sources under varying measurement conditions (SW camera). 1: Object temperature; 2: Emittance; Obj: Object radiation; Refl: Reflected radiation; Atm: atmosphere radiation. Fixed parameters: τ = 0.88; Trefl = 20°C (+68°F); Tatm = 20°C (+68°F).

Graphic

Figure 21.3  Relative magnitudes of radiation sources under varying measurement conditions (LW camera). 1: Object temperature; 2: Emittance; Obj: Object radiation; Refl: Reflected radiation; Atm: atmosphere radiation. Fixed parameters: τ = 0.88; Trefl = 20°C (+68°F); Tatm = 20°C (+68°F).

22  Emissivity tables

This section presents a compilation of emissivity data from the infrared literature and measurements made by FLIR Systems.

22.1  References

22.2  Tables

Table 22.1  T: Total spectrum; SW: 2–5 µm; LW: 8–14 µm, LLW: 6.5–20 µm; 1: Material; 2: Specification; 3:Temperature in °C; 4: Spectrum; 5: Emissivity: 6:Reference

1

2

3

4

5

6

3M type 35
Vinyl electrical tape (several colors)
< 80
LW
≈ 0.96
13
3M type 88
Black vinyl electrical tape
< 105
LW
≈ 0.96
13
3M type 88
Black vinyl electrical tape
< 105
MW
< 0.96
13
3M type Super 33+
Black vinyl electrical tape
< 80
LW
≈ 0.96
13
Aluminum
anodized sheet
100
T
0.55
2
Aluminum
anodized, black, dull
70
SW
0.67
9
Aluminum
anodized, black, dull
70
LW
0.95
9
Aluminum
anodized, light gray, dull
70
SW
0.61
9
Aluminum
anodized, light gray, dull
70
LW
0.97
9
Aluminum
as received, plate
100
T
0.09
4
Aluminum
as received, sheet
100
T
0.09
2
Aluminum
cast, blast cleaned
70
SW
0.47
9
Aluminum
cast, blast cleaned
70
LW
0.46
9
Aluminum
dipped in HNO3, plate
100
T
0.05
4
Aluminum
foil
27
10 µm
0.04
3
Aluminum
foil
27
3 µm
0.09
3
Aluminum
oxidized, strongly
50–500
T
0.2–0.3
1
Aluminum
polished
50–100
T
0.04–0.06
1
Aluminum
polished plate
100
T
0.05
4
Aluminum
polished, sheet
100
T
0.05
2
Aluminum
rough surface
20–50
T
0.06–0.07
1
Aluminum
roughened
27
10 µm
0.18
3
Aluminum
roughened
27
3 µm
0.28
3
Aluminum
sheet, 4 samples differently scratched
70
SW
0.05–0.08
9
Aluminum
sheet, 4 samples differently scratched
70
LW
0.03–0.06
9
Aluminum
vacuum deposited
20
T
0.04
2
Aluminum
weathered, heavily
17
SW
0.83–0.94
5
Aluminum bronze
 
20
T
0.60
1
Aluminum hydroxide
powder
 
T
0.28
1
Aluminum oxide
activated, powder
 
T
0.46
1
Aluminum oxide
pure, powder (alumina)
 
T
0.16
1
Asbestos
board
20
T
0.96
1
Asbestos
fabric
 
T
0.78
1
Asbestos
floor tile
35
SW
0.94
7
Asbestos
paper
40–400
T
0.93–0.95
1
Asbestos
powder
 
T
0.40–0.60
1
Asbestos
slate
20
T
0.96
1
Asphalt paving
 
4
LLW
0.967
8
Brass
dull, tarnished
20–350
T
0.22
1
Brass
oxidized
100
T
0.61
2
Brass
oxidized
70
SW
0.04–0.09
9
Brass
oxidized
70
LW
0.03–0.07
9
Brass
oxidized at 600°C
200–600
T
0.59–0.61
1
Brass
polished
200
T
0.03
1
Brass
polished, highly
100
T
0.03
2
Brass
rubbed with 80-grit emery
20
T
0.20
2
Brass
sheet, rolled
20
T
0.06
1
Brass
sheet, worked with emery
20
T
0.2
1
Brick
alumina
17
SW
0.68
5
Brick
common
17
SW
0.86–0.81
5
Brick
Dinas silica, glazed, rough
1100
T
0.85
1
Brick
Dinas silica, refractory
1000
T
0.66
1
Brick
Dinas silica, unglazed, rough
1000
T
0.80
1
Brick
firebrick
17
SW
0.68
5
Brick
fireclay
1000
T
0.75
1
Brick
fireclay
1200
T
0.59
1
Brick
fireclay
20
T
0.85
1
Brick
masonry
35
SW
0.94
7
Brick
masonry, plastered
20
T
0.94
1
Brick
red, common
20
T
0.93
2
Brick
red, rough
20
T
0.88–0.93
1
Brick
refractory, corundum
1000
T
0.46
1
Brick
refractory, magnesite
1000–1300
T
0.38
1
Brick
refractory, strongly radiating
500–1000
T
0.8–0.9
1
Brick
refractory, weakly radiating
500–1000
T
0.65–0.75
1
Brick
silica, 95% SiO2
1230
T
0.66
1
Brick
sillimanite, 33% SiO2, 64% Al2O3
1500
T
0.29
1
Brick
waterproof
17
SW
0.87
5
Bronze
phosphor bronze
70
SW
0.08
9
Bronze
phosphor bronze
70
LW
0.06
9
Bronze
polished
50
T
0.1
1
Bronze
porous, rough
50–150
T
0.55
1
Bronze
powder
 
T
0.76–0.80
1
Carbon
candle soot
20
T
0.95
2
Carbon
charcoal powder
 
T
0.96
1
Carbon
graphite powder
 
T
0.97
1
Carbon
graphite, filed surface
20
T
0.98
2
Carbon
lampblack
20–400
T
0.95–0.97
1
Chipboard
untreated
20
SW
0.90
6
Chromium
polished
50
T
0.10
1
Chromium
polished
500–1000
T
0.28–0.38
1
Clay
fired
70
T
0.91
1
Cloth
black
20
T
0.98
1
Concrete
 
20
T
0.92
2
Concrete
dry
36
SW
0.95
7
Concrete
rough
17
SW
0.97
5
Concrete
walkway
5
LLW
0.974
8
Copper
commercial, burnished
20
T
0.07
1
Copper
electrolytic, carefully polished
80
T
0.018
1
Copper
electrolytic, polished
–34
T
0.006
4
Copper
molten
1100–1300
T
0.13–0.15
1
Copper
oxidized
50
T
0.6–0.7
1
Copper
oxidized to blackness
 
T
0.88
1
Copper
oxidized, black
27
T
0.78
4
Copper
oxidized, heavily
20
T
0.78
2
Copper
polished
50–100
T
0.02
1
Copper
polished
100
T
0.03
2
Copper
polished, commercial
27
T
0.03
4
Copper
polished, mechanical
22
T
0.015
4
Copper
pure, carefully prepared surface
22
T
0.008
4
Copper
scraped
27
T
0.07
4
Copper dioxide
powder
 
T
0.84
1
Copper oxide
red, powder
 
T
0.70
1
Ebonite
   
T
0.89
1
Emery
coarse
80
T
0.85
1
Enamel
 
20
T
0.9
1
Enamel
lacquer
20
T
0.85–0.95
1
Fiber board
hard, untreated
20
SW
0.85
6
Fiber board
masonite
70
SW
0.75
9
Fiber board
masonite
70
LW
0.88
9
Fiber board
particle board
70
SW
0.77
9
Fiber board
particle board
70
LW
0.89
9
Fiber board
porous, untreated
20
SW
0.85
6
Glass pane (float glass)
non-coated
20
LW
0.97
14
Gold
polished
130
T
0.018
1
Gold
polished, carefully
200–600
T
0.02–0.03
1
Gold
polished, highly
100
T
0.02
2
Granite
polished
20
LLW
0.849
8
Granite
rough
21
LLW
0.879
8
Granite
rough, 4 different samples
70
SW
0.95–0.97
9
Granite
rough, 4 different samples
70
LW
0.77–0.87
9
Gypsum
 
20
T
0.8–0.9
1
Ice: See Water
         
Iron and steel
cold rolled
70
SW
0.20
9
Iron and steel
cold rolled
70
LW
0.09
9
Iron and steel
covered with red rust
20
T
0.61–0.85
1
Iron and steel
electrolytic
100
T
0.05
4
Iron and steel
electrolytic
22
T
0.05
4
Iron and steel
electrolytic
260
T
0.07
4
Iron and steel
electrolytic, carefully polished
175–225
T
0.05–0.06
1
Iron and steel
freshly worked with emery
20
T
0.24
1
Iron and steel
ground sheet
950–1100
T
0.55–0.61
1
Iron and steel
heavily rusted sheet
20
T
0.69
2
Iron and steel
hot rolled
130
T
0.60
1
Iron and steel
hot rolled
20
T
0.77
1
Iron and steel
oxidized
100
T
0.74
4
Iron and steel
oxidized
100
T
0.74
1
Iron and steel
oxidized
1227
T
0.89
4
Iron and steel
oxidized
125–525
T
0.78–0.82
1
Iron and steel
oxidized
200
T
0.79
2
Iron and steel
oxidized
200–600
T
0.80
1
Iron and steel
oxidized strongly
50
T
0.88
1
Iron and steel
oxidized strongly
500
T
0.98
1
Iron and steel
polished
100
T
0.07
2
Iron and steel
polished
400–1000
T
0.14–0.38
1
Iron and steel
polished sheet
750–1050
T
0.52–0.56
1
Iron and steel
rolled sheet
50
T
0.56
1
Iron and steel
rolled, freshly
20
T
0.24
1
Iron and steel
rough, plane surface
50
T
0.95–0.98
1
Iron and steel
rusted red, sheet
22
T
0.69
4
Iron and steel
rusted, heavily
17
SW
0.96
5
Iron and steel
rusty, red
20
T
0.69
1
Iron and steel
shiny oxide layer, sheet,
20
T
0.82
1
Iron and steel
shiny, etched
150
T
0.16
1
Iron and steel
wrought, carefully polished
40–250
T
0.28
1
Iron galvanized
heavily oxidized
70
SW
0.64
9
Iron galvanized
heavily oxidized
70
LW
0.85
9
Iron galvanized
sheet
92
T
0.07
4
Iron galvanized
sheet, burnished
30
T
0.23
1
Iron galvanized
sheet, oxidized
20
T
0.28
1
Iron tinned
sheet
24
T
0.064
4
Iron, cast
casting
50
T
0.81
1
Iron, cast
ingots
1000
T
0.95
1
Iron, cast
liquid
1300
T
0.28
1
Iron, cast
machined
800–1000
T
0.60–0.70
1
Iron, cast
oxidized
100
T
0.64
2
Iron, cast
oxidized
260
T
0.66
4
Iron, cast
oxidized
38
T
0.63
4
Iron, cast
oxidized
538
T
0.76
4
Iron, cast
oxidized at 600°C
200–600
T
0.64–0.78
1
Iron, cast
polished
200
T
0.21
1
Iron, cast
polished
38
T
0.21
4
Iron, cast
polished
40
T
0.21
2
Iron, cast
unworked
900–1100
T
0.87–0.95
1
Krylon Ultra-flat black 1602
Flat black
Room temperature up to 175
LW
≈ 0.96
12
Krylon Ultra-flat black 1602
Flat black
Room temperature up to 175
MW
≈ 0.97
12
Lacquer
3 colors sprayed on Aluminum
70
SW
0.50–0.53
9
Lacquer
3 colors sprayed on Aluminum
70
LW
0.92–0.94
9
Lacquer
Aluminum on rough surface
20
T
0.4
1
Lacquer
bakelite
80
T
0.83
1
Lacquer
black, dull
40–100
T
0.96–0.98
1
Lacquer
black, matte
100
T
0.97
2
Lacquer
black, shiny, sprayed on iron
20
T
0.87
1
Lacquer
heat–resistant
100
T
0.92
1
Lacquer
white
100
T
0.92
2
Lacquer
white
40–100
T
0.8–0.95
1
Lead
oxidized at 200°C
200
T
0.63
1
Lead
oxidized, gray
20
T
0.28
1
Lead
oxidized, gray
22
T
0.28
4
Lead
shiny
250
T
0.08
1
Lead
unoxidized, polished
100
T
0.05
4
Lead red
 
100
T
0.93
4
Lead red, powder
 
100
T
0.93
1
Leather
tanned
 
T
0.75–0.80
1
Lime
   
T
0.3–0.4
1
Magnesium
 
22
T
0.07
4
Magnesium
 
260
T
0.13
4
Magnesium
 
538
T
0.18
4
Magnesium
polished
20
T
0.07
2
Magnesium powder
   
T
0.86
1
Molybdenum
 
1500–2200
T
0.19–0.26
1
Molybdenum
 
600–1000
T
0.08–0.13
1
Molybdenum
filament
700–2500
T
0.1–0.3
1
Mortar
 
17
SW
0.87
5
Mortar
dry
36
SW
0.94
7
Nextel Velvet 811-21 Black
Flat black
–60–150
LW
> 0.97
10 and 11
Nichrome
rolled
700
T
0.25
1
Nichrome
sandblasted
700
T
0.70
1
Nichrome
wire, clean
50
T
0.65
1
Nichrome
wire, clean
500–1000
T
0.71–0.79
1
Nichrome
wire, oxidized
50–500
T
0.95–0.98
1
Nickel
bright matte
122
T
0.041
4
Nickel
commercially pure, polished
100
T
0.045
1
Nickel
commercially pure, polished
200–400
T
0.07–0.09
1
Nickel
electrolytic
22
T
0.04
4
Nickel
electrolytic
260
T
0.07
4
Nickel
electrolytic
38
T
0.06
4
Nickel
electrolytic
538
T
0.10
4
Nickel
electroplated on iron, polished
22
T
0.045
4
Nickel
electroplated on iron, unpolished
20
T
0.11–0.40
1
Nickel
electroplated on iron, unpolished
22
T
0.11
4
Nickel
electroplated, polished
20
T
0.05
2
Nickel
oxidized
1227
T
0.85
4
Nickel
oxidized
200
T
0.37
2
Nickel
oxidized
227
T
0.37
4
Nickel
oxidized at 600°C
200–600
T
0.37–0.48
1
Nickel
polished
122
T
0.045
4
Nickel
wire
200–1000
T
0.1–0.2
1
Nickel oxide
 
1000–1250
T
0.75–0.86
1
Nickel oxide
 
500–650
T
0.52–0.59
1
Oil, lubricating
0.025 mm film
20
T
0.27
2
Oil, lubricating
0.050 mm film
20
T
0.46
2
Oil, lubricating
0.125 mm film
20
T
0.72
2
Oil, lubricating
film on Ni base: Ni base only
20
T
0.05
2
Oil, lubricating
thick coating
20
T
0.82
2
Paint
8 different colors and qualities
70
SW
0.88–0.96
9
Paint
8 different colors and qualities
70
LW
0.92–0.94
9
Paint
Aluminum, various ages
50–100
T
0.27–0.67
1
Paint
cadmium yellow
 
T
0.28–0.33
1
Paint
chrome green
 
T
0.65–0.70
1
Paint
cobalt blue
 
T
0.7–0.8
1
Paint
oil
17
SW
0.87
5
Paint
oil based, average of 16 colors
100
T
0.94
2
Paint
oil, black flat
20
SW
0.94
6
Paint
oil, black gloss
20
SW
0.92
6
Paint
oil, gray flat
20
SW
0.97
6
Paint
oil, gray gloss
20
SW
0.96
6
Paint
oil, various colors
100
T
0.92–0.96
1
Paint
plastic, black
20
SW
0.95
6
Paint
plastic, white
20
SW
0.84
6
Paper
4 different colors
70
SW
0.68–0.74
9
Paper
4 different colors
70
LW
0.92–0.94
9
Paper
black
 
T
0.90
1
Paper
black, dull
 
T
0.94
1
Paper
black, dull
70
SW
0.86
9
Paper
black, dull
70
LW
0.89
9
Paper
blue, dark
 
T
0.84
1
Paper
coated with black lacquer
 
T
0.93
1
Paper
green
 
T
0.85
1
Paper
red
 
T
0.76
1
Paper
white
20
T
0.7–0.9
1
Paper
white bond
20
T
0.93
2
Paper
white, 3 different glosses
70
SW
0.76–0.78
9
Paper
white, 3 different glosses
70
LW
0.88–0.90
9
Paper
yellow
 
T
0.72
1
Plaster
 
17
SW
0.86
5
Plaster
plasterboard, untreated
20
SW
0.90
6
Plaster
rough coat
20
T
0.91
2
Plastic
glass fibre laminate (printed circ. board)
70
SW
0.94
9
Plastic
glass fibre laminate (printed circ. board)
70
LW
0.91
9
Plastic
polyurethane isolation board
70
LW
0.55
9
Plastic
polyurethane isolation board
70
SW
0.29
9
Plastic
PVC, plastic floor, dull, structured
70
SW
0.94
9
Plastic
PVC, plastic floor, dull, structured
70
LW
0.93
9
Platinum
 
100
T
0.05
4
Platinum
 
1000–1500
T
0.14–0.18
1
Platinum
 
1094
T
0.18
4
Platinum
 
17
T
0.016
4
Platinum
 
22
T
0.03
4
Platinum
 
260
T
0.06
4
Platinum
 
538
T
0.10
4
Platinum
pure, polished
200–600
T
0.05–0.10
1
Platinum
ribbon
900–1100
T
0.12–0.17
1
Platinum
wire
1400
T
0.18
1
Platinum
wire
500–1000
T
0.10–0.16
1
Platinum
wire
50–200
T
0.06–0.07
1
Porcelain
glazed
20
T
0.92
1
Porcelain
white, shiny
 
T
0.70–0.75
1
Rubber
hard
20
T
0.95
1
Rubber
soft, gray, rough
20
T
0.95
1
Sand
   
T
0.60
1
Sand
 
20
T
0.90
2
Sandstone
polished
19
LLW
0.909
8
Sandstone
rough
19
LLW
0.935
8
Silver
polished
100
T
0.03
2
Silver
pure, polished
200–600
T
0.02–0.03
1
Skin
human
32
T
0.98
2
Slag
boiler
0–100
T
0.97–0.93
1
Slag
boiler
1400–1800
T
0.69–0.67
1
Slag
boiler
200–500
T
0.89–0.78
1
Slag
boiler
600–1200
T
0.76–0.70
1
Snow: See Water
         
Soil
dry
20
T
0.92
2
Soil
saturated with water
20
T
0.95
2
Stainless steel
alloy, 8% Ni, 18% Cr
500
T
0.35
1
Stainless steel
rolled
700
T
0.45
1
Stainless steel
sandblasted
700
T
0.70
1
Stainless steel
sheet, polished
70
SW
0.18
9
Stainless steel
sheet, polished
70
LW
0.14
9
Stainless steel
sheet, untreated, somewhat scratched
70
SW
0.30
9
Stainless steel
sheet, untreated, somewhat scratched
70
LW
0.28
9
Stainless steel
type 18-8, buffed
20
T
0.16
2
Stainless steel
type 18-8, oxidized at 800°C
60
T
0.85
2
Stucco
rough, lime
10–90
T
0.91
1
Styrofoam
insulation
37
SW
0.60
7
Tar
   
T
0.79–0.84
1
Tar
paper
20
T
0.91–0.93
1
Tile
glazed
17
SW
0.94
5
Tin
burnished
20–50
T
0.04–0.06
1
Tin
tin–plated sheet iron
100
T
0.07
2
Titanium
oxidized at 540°C
1000
T
0.60
1
Titanium
oxidized at 540°C
200
T
0.40
1
Titanium
oxidized at 540°C
500
T
0.50
1
Titanium
polished
1000
T
0.36
1
Titanium
polished
200
T
0.15
1
Titanium
polished
500
T
0.20
1
Tungsten
 
1500–2200
T
0.24–0.31
1
Tungsten
 
200
T
0.05
1
Tungsten
 
600–1000
T
0.1–0.16
1
Tungsten
filament
3300
T
0.39
1
Varnish
flat
20
SW
0.93
6
Varnish
on oak parquet floor
70
SW
0.90
9
Varnish
on oak parquet floor
70
LW
0.90–0.93
9
Wallpaper
slight pattern, light gray
20
SW
0.85
6
Wallpaper
slight pattern, red
20
SW
0.90
6
Water
distilled
20
T
0.96
2
Water
frost crystals
–10
T
0.98
2
Water
ice, covered with heavy frost
0
T
0.98
1
Water
ice, smooth
0
T
0.97
1
Water
ice, smooth
–10
T
0.96
2
Water
layer >0.1 mm thick
0–100
T
0.95–0.98
1
Water
snow
 
T
0.8
1
Water
snow
–10
T
0.85
2
Wood
 
17
SW
0.98
5
Wood
 
19
LLW
0.962
8
Wood
ground
 
T
0.5–0.7
1
Wood
pine, 4 different samples
70
SW
0.67–0.75
9
Wood
pine, 4 different samples
70
LW
0.81–0.89
9
Wood
planed
20
T
0.8–0.9
1
Wood
planed oak
20
T
0.90
2
Wood
planed oak
70
SW
0.77
9
Wood
planed oak
70
LW
0.88
9
Wood
plywood, smooth, dry
36
SW
0.82
7
Wood
plywood, untreated
20
SW
0.83
6
Wood
white, damp
20
T
0.7–0.8
1
Zinc
oxidized at 400°C
400
T
0.11
1
Zinc
oxidized surface
1000–1200
T
0.50–0.60
1
Zinc
polished
200–300
T
0.04–0.05
1
Zinc
sheet
50
T
0.20
1