What Materials Absorb IR The Best?

[arc31]

For an assignment, we need to make a model house and need to insulate it to conserve heat. The best insulation will be picked as the winner and they are compared with an infrared thermal camera. So I thought if I could absorb the IR, it would look colder on the image therefore seeming like the insulation is better. What materials can be used on the outside to achieve this?

 

[DrClaude]

Why do you think that absorbing IR would make the house look colder?

Look up "black body spectrum," it may be helpful...

 

[arc31]

Isnt that how thermal imaging works? By observing the frequency and amount of IR?

 

[DrClaude]

Isnt that how thermal imaging works? By observing the frequency and amount of IR?

Where is that IR radiation coming from?

 

[arc31]

Aluminium foil for example reflects IR. Otherwise the bodies themselves emit EM waves their frequency dependent on the temperature.

 

[DrClaude]

Since it is the material itself that is emitting depending on its temperature, making it in a material that absorbs IR will not change anything.

There might be some choice of material that will trick the thermometer into giving a false reading, but as a teacher I would consider that cheating.

You should spend your effort in making your model house actually insulated.

 

[anorlunda]

For an assignment, we need to make a model house and need to insulate it to conserve heat. The best insulation will be picked as the winner and they are compared with an infrared thermal camera. So I thought if I could absorb the IR, it would look colder on the image therefore seeming like the insulation is better. What materials can be used on the outside to achieve this?

You are asking for help on cheating. Shame on you.

Leave the lens cap on the IR camera. That will absorb the IR.

 

[arc31]

Wouldnt aluminium also help with insulation by reflecting back infrared and therefore reducing heat transfer?

 

[anorlunda]

Wouldnt aluminium also help with insulation by reflecting back infrared and therefore reducing heat transfer?

That's better focus on better insulation, not something that seems better but isn't.

 

[DrClaude]

Wouldnt aluminium also help with insulation by reflecting back infrared and therefore reducing heat transfer?

Depends on what the source of heat. What will be inside the house?

 

[arc31]

Depends on what the source of heat. What will be inside the house?

The house will be moved from warmth to the outside cold.

 

[DrClaude]

The house will be moved from warmth to the outside cold.

So you basically have a box of air. In that case, reflective walls won't help, as air doesn't emit much thermal radiation. Most of the heat lost will be due to conduction between the walls and the air inside, and by convection of the air.

By the way, I find the measuring method a bit strange. I think that measuring the rate of change of the interior temperature would have been a better way of figuring out how well insulated the house is.

 

[arc31]

I have convection covered by making it airtight and I nevertheless will use the most insulative materials I can get my hands on. Thanks!