Thermal characterization of textiles with heat flux sensors: new case study

greenTEG AG: In our latest case study we present the thermal characterization of footwear with heat flux measurements.

Abstract:

The thermal characterization of functional wear becomes more and more important. Common characterization solutions are either non-quantitative (e.g. infrared camera) or stationary and expensive (e.g. guarded hotplates). This application note shows how a hiking shoe can be thermally characterized under actual conditions. GreenTEG’s U-Value Kit, consisting of one heat flux sensor, two temperature sensors, and a data logger delivers quantitative data for the assessment. With its help, the thermal insulation properties (U-value) and the thermal behavior of the hiking shoe during different activities can be determined easily, fast, and accurately. Using the U-Value KIT from greenTEG for thermal characterization has the following advantages:

• It is possible to measure what the human body feels
• It is possible to measure under realistic conditions
• It enables comparisons of different experiments on the basis of the U-Value
• It is a low cost alternative to a guarded hotplate set-up

Mounting several sensors on different positions on the foot within two experiments enabled the determination of hotspots in the hiking shoe.

• Full case study available for download here