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3.6: Emission, Reflection, and Transmission

  • Page ID
    57828
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    When infrared radiation interacts with a surface, it can be:

    • Emitted
    • Reflected
    • Transmitted

    The sum of these three components equals 100% of the incident energy.

    Emission

    Emission is infrared radiation generated by the object itself. This is the desired signal in thermography.

    Reflection

    Reflection occurs when infrared radiation from surrounding objects reflects off a surface. Reflections can cause false indications if not recognized.

    Transmission

    Transmission occurs when infrared radiation passes through a material. Most solid materials used in industrial inspections are opaque in the infrared range, meaning transmission is minimal.

    Understanding these interactions is essential for accurate data collection.


    This page titled 3.6: Emission, Reflection, and Transmission is shared under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Jay Seidel.