THERMAL PROPERTIES TESTING APPARATUS AND METHODS

1 . A method for testing properties of a product comprising a thermal barrier layer comprising:

heating a sample of the product via an ignition source; and

determining a temperature differential across the sample.

2 . The method of claim 1 wherein determining the temperature differential across the sample comprises:

taking a first temperature measurement approximately at the ignition source;

taking a second temperature measurement approximately at a surface of the sample furthest from the ignition source; and

calculating the difference between the first and second temperature measurements.

3 . The method of claim 1 further comprising loading the sample into a testing apparatus.

4 . The method of claim 3 wherein loading the sample into the testing apparatus comprises placing the sample onto a support plate that extends over the ignition source.

5 . The method of claim 4 wherein loading the sample into the testing apparatus further comprises lowering a holding plate over the sample.

6 . The method of claim 5 wherein loading the sample into the testing apparatus further comprises adjusting a displacement between the support plate and the holding plate.

7 . The method of claim 5 wherein loading the sample into the testing apparatus further comprises leveling the holding plate with respect to the support plate.

8 . The method of claim 1 further comprising weighing the sample before and after heating to determine the quantity of sample that burned away during testing.

9 . The method of claim 8 wherein the properties consist of: open flame resistivity, thermal transfer resistivity, or both.

10 . The method of claim 1 wherein the sample is heated for a predetermined test period.

11 . The method of claim 10 wherein the temperature differential across the sample is determined a plurality of times on a specified time interval during the predetermined test period.

12 . The method of claim 1 further comprising determining a temperature differential across each layer of the sample.

13 . The method of claim 1 wherein heating the sample of the product via the ignition source comprises:

flowing a gas to the ignition source;

lighting the ignition source; and

regulating the flow of gas to the ignition source.

14 . A method for testing properties of a product comprising a thermal barrier layer comprising:

exposing a sample of the product to a flame; and

determining thermal transfer resistivity of the sample.

15 . The method of claim 14 wherein determining thermal transfer resistivity of the sample comprises:

measuring a first temperature approximately at a first surface of the sample closest to the flame;

measuring a second temperature approximately at a second surface of the sample furthest from the flame; and

calculating the difference between the first and second temperature measurements.

16 . The method of claim 14 further comprising determining thermal transfer resistivity across each layer of the sample.

17 . A method for testing properties of a product comprising a thermal barrier layer comprising:

supporting a sample of the product over an ignition source;

heating the sample via the ignition source; and

determining a temperature differential across the sample.

18 . The method of claim 17 wherein determining the temperature differential across the sample comprises:

taking a first temperature measurement approximately at the ignition source;

taking a second temperature measurement approximately at a surface of the sample furthest from the ignition source; and

calculating the difference between the first and second temperature measurements.

19 . The method of claim 17 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 resistivity, thermal transfer resistivity, or both.

21 . The method of claim 17 further comprising determining a temperature differential across each layer of the sample.