Emissivity table

All the materials emit, absorb and reflect the radiant energy. The emissivity defines to what extent the surfaces of different materials emit heat in the form of infrared energy, measured between 0 and 1.. You will find below an approximate guide to the emissivity of different materials. However, when emissivity cannot be guaranteed, a more precise value must be determined using a precise probe to compare and adjust a infrared thermometer so that it provides precise readings.

How to calculate the correct emissivity parameter?

With the emissivity index of many common materials listed below, entering the right emissivity value is as simple as consulting the table.

However, graphs values ​​are only estimates. The real emissivity of a surface that you try to measure will vary slightly depending on its color, its thickness and even its temperature. Checking the accuracy of an infrared measure may require a little more planning.

This is especially true when your infrared thermometer is set to lower emissivity values. Since low -emissivity materials are by definition poor infrared energy transmitters, infrared thermometers amplify the infrared radiation levels they detect when they make their calculations. This can lead to an increase in slight errors and make temperature measurements to lower settings seem erratic.

There are two ways to manage this:

1. Use a surface probe and a measuring device to help you determine the appropriate emissivity setting for your infrared thermometer.

2. Use a high emissivity patch between the target surface and the infrared thermometer.

IR thermometers with fixed emissivity

Fixed emissivity is an adjustment to some infrared thermometers, generally 0.95 or 0.97, which tries to simplify their operation while leaving them adapted to most material surfaces, including almost all foods. Others infrared thermometers have adjustable emissivity parameters, which allows you to prepare your infrared thermometers more precisely with the measured surface type, especially when measuring non -organic surfaces.

Material and emissivity