THERMAL MEASUREMENT ASSOCIATED WITH MATERIAL FAILURE USING THERMOCHROMIC COATINGS

The objective of this exploratory research project is to explore the experimental techniques for measuring thermal diffusion associated with dynamic failure of engineering structures. The liquid crystal-based system is chosen to make thermochromic coatings since certain types of liquid crystals appear to be thermal-sensitive but not pressure-sensitive, and since these materials are inexpensive and can be safely and easily prepared in a university laboratory. Compact tension, three-point bending, and compression experiments are conducted on the Plexiglas specimens with surface and embedded thermochromic coatings. Surface and internal temperature changes associated with the evolution of material failure are monitored under different loading rates, using an infrared thermometer, spectrophotometer, and video camera. The potential and limitation of the proposed procedure are discussed based on the current results. (Author)