17-05-2022, 08:50 PM
Hi
I delved into the subject of emissivity after getting one of those cheap handheld IR thermometers. They use an assumed value of 0.95, which fortunately isn't far off for a wide range of materials including painted surfaces that aren't too glossy. However, any smooth shiny metal has a much lower value, so it's hard to get an accurate reading of the true surface temperature rather than the surrounding environment it is reflecting back.
I delved into the subject of emissivity after getting one of those cheap handheld IR thermometers. They use an assumed value of 0.95, which fortunately isn't far off for a wide range of materials including painted surfaces that aren't too glossy. However, any smooth shiny metal has a much lower value, so it's hard to get an accurate reading of the true surface temperature rather than the surrounding environment it is reflecting back.