Material testing is a crucial process in many industries to ensure the safety, quality and durability of materials. Precise and reliable monitoring of the gases produced is essential, particularly in the context of burning material tests, which assess the flammability of materials.
In addition, the NDIR sensors and smartGAS analyzers are robust and durable, making them ideal for use in demanding test environments. These features make them indispensable tools that not only significantly improve the accuracy of material testing, but also optimize the efficiency of testing processes. With continuous data transmission at a frequency of 10 Hz and a linearity error of less than 2 ppm, the analyzers contribute to seamless monitoring, leading to reliable results. In modern materials testing, such technological advances mean a significant increase in safety and sustainability - a requirement that is becoming increasingly important in the industry.
Basics of the Burning Material Test
Material testing is an essential part of ensuring the quality and safety of materials, especially when it comes to assessing flammability and the behavior of materials under extreme conditions. In safety-critical industries such as construction, automotive production and aviation, accurate testing procedures are essential to ensure compliance with high safety standards. The Burning Material Test is of particular importance here, as it shows how materials react to heat and flammability.
In this context, NDIR sensors and smartGAS analyzers play a crucial role as they enable precise and reliable gas measurement. NDIR sensor technology (non-dispersive infrared sensors) detects specific gases such as CO₂, CO and hydrocarbons that are released during the combustion process. Thanks to this high precision, the sensors are able to detect even the smallest concentrations of these gases. This is particularly important in order to be able to make exact statements about the flammability and safety of a material. The ability to react quickly - with a T90 time of less than 4 seconds - enables precise monitoring of emissions in safety-critical test situations.
The smartGAS analyzers also offer additional advantages that make material testing even more efficient. They are extremely precise and have a linearity error of less than 2 ppm, resulting in a very accurate gas analysis. Continuous data transmission at 10 Hz ensures that the entire combustion process can be monitored in real time. This continuous measurement means that even the smallest changes in the gas composition can be detected and evaluated immediately. This optimizes the safety and accuracy of these material tests.
NDIR sensors and smartGAS analyzers are designed to work reliably in demanding environments. Whether in high-temperature areas or under extreme physical stress, these systems ensure consistently high performance and thus contribute to increased reliability in material testing.
By providing precise and fast measurements, NDIR sensors and smartGAS analyzers play a key role in ensuring that materials can be tested safely and in accordance with the prescribed standards. Companies that rely on these technologies therefore benefit from more efficient and accurate material testing, increasing safety and reducing long-term costs through fewer material failures. The combination of these technologies makes it possible to meet the growing demands for safety and precision.
Functionality of NDIR sensors in materials testing
The functionality of NDIR sensors (non-dispersive infrared sensors) is based on a precise physical principle that utilizes the absorption of infrared radiation (IR) by specific gas molecules. At the heart of this technology is the property of gases to absorb certain wavelengths of light when penetrated by infrared rays. Each gas has a specific absorption spectrum that is determined by its molecular structure. In NDIR technology, this effect is used to reliably detect gases such as carbon dioxide (CO₂), carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbons.
Functionality in detail:
Infrared radiation source:
The NDIR sensor has an infrared radiation source that continuously emits IR light. This source can consist of a light bulb or an LED that is set to a specific bandwidth of infrared rays. This IR light is passed through the gas sample volume located inside the sensor chamber.
Gas sample and light absorption:
When the IR light hits the gas sample, it is partly transmitted through the gas and partly absorbed by the molecules of the gas. Each gas absorbs specific wavelengths of infrared light based on its molecular structure. For example, carbon dioxide (CO₂) typically absorbs infrared light at a wavelength of around 4.26 µm, while carbon monoxide (CO) absorbs at around 4.67 µm.
Filter and detector:
After passing through the gas, the remaining IR light reaches an optical filter that only allows the wavelength of IR light specific to the respective gas to pass through. This filter is tuned to allow only the wavelengths that absorb the gas to pass through. The detector, which is located behind the filter, measures the intensity of the IR light that passes through. The amount of light absorbed is directly related to the concentration of the gas in the sample - the higher the amount of gas, the more infrared radiation is absorbed and the lower the amount of light that reaches the detector.