Thermal properties testing apparatus and methods

1. An apparatus for testing properties of a product comprising a thermal barrier layer, comprising:

an ignition source;

a test stand that extends a sample of the product over the ignition source; and

a means for measuring thermal transfer across the sample;

wherein the means for measuring thermal transfer across the sample comprises:

a thermometer;

a first temperature measurement device connected to the thermometer and positioned to measure temperature approximately at the ignition source; and

a second temperature measurement device connected to the thermometer and positioned to measure temperature approximately at a surface of the sample furthest from the ignition source.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first and second temperature measurement devices consist of: thermocouples, plate calorimeters, or a combination thereof.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sample comprises a plurality of layers, and wherein the apparatus further comprises means for measuring thermal transfer across each layer of the sample.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a data collection device.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the data collection device consists of: a data logger, a computer, or a combination thereof.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the ignition source comprises a Bunsen burner fueled by a gas.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising a shut-off valve for controlling whether gas flows to the ignition source.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising a regulator valve for controlling a quantity of gas that flows to the ignition source.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the test stand comprises a support plate that supports the sample.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the test stand further comprises a holding plate that holds the sample in place during testing.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising an adjustment mechanism for adjusting a displacement between the support plate and the holding plate.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising adjustable extensions for leveling the holding plate relative to the support plate.

13. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the holding plate is rotatably moveable with respect to the support plate.

14. A method for using the apparatus of claim 1 to test properties of the product, comprising:

supporting the sample over the ignition source via a support plate on the test stand;

heating the sample via the ignition source; and

determining a thermal differential across the sample via the means for measuring thermal transfer across the sample.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein determining the thermal differential across the sample comprises:

taking a first temperature measurement approximately at the ignition source via the first temperature measurement device connected to the thermometer;

taking a second temperature measurement approximately at the surface of the sample furthest from the ignition source via the second temperature measurement device connected to the thermometer; and

calculating the difference between the first and second temperature measurements.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein the sample is heated by the ignition source for a predetermined test period.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein the thermal differential across the sample is determined a plurality of times on a specified time interval.

18. The method of claim 14 further comprising determining a thermal differential across each layer of the sample.

19. The method of claim 14 further comprising weighing the sample before and after heating to determine the quantity of sample that burned away during testing.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the properties consist of: open flame resistance, thermal transfer resistance, or both.