Thermal manikin and its stability for accurate and repeatable measurements

Abstract

© 2016, Vienna University of Technology. All rights reserved. Thermal manikins are used for testing the thermal insulation of different types of protective clothing. Data about thermal insulation is required when new protective clothes are designed or for the optimization of the existing ones. Thermal insulation usually plays an important role when researching or developing optimal protective clothing used in hot environmental conditions. The aim is to develop protective clothing that will ensure the lowest possible thermal load for the user. To get accurate information about thermal insulation, the measuring system for its determination should be stable. One of the possibilities is to use a thermal manikin presenting the anatomic shape of the human body. The measurement accuracy and stability of the measuring system based on the thermal manikin are investigated and assessed on the basis of statistical analysis. Accurate measurements can be ensured with statistics. Only accurate data has an application value for the industrial development.