Thermal barriers are a material that is applied to a metal or foam in order to slow down the rate of temperature increase. The material was created to prevent fires, and is becoming a main ingredient in buildings, machines, and engines. A thermal barrier can be applied to any surface that operates at a high temperature or has the potential to catch on fire.
A coating of a thermal barrier is placed on a surface in four layers. Each layer consists of a different material that creates temperature reduction in a different way. In most cases, the layers are applied using a vapor or spray.
Over the years, the safety of buildings has been a serious issue for concern. One of the most important advancements that has been made to ensure buildings are safer is the development of the thermal barrier. In buildings, the barrier is applied over the foam insulation that is installed in the walls of the building. This material is designed to slow down the rate in which the temperature increases during a fire. Today, most buildings inspectors require an approved thermal barrier placed between the walls before the building can be complete.
The reasons these inspectors require a thermal barrier is because some of the materials that buildings are made of are combustible, and a thermal barrier reduces the risk of increased fires and potential explosions. Thermal barrier coatings are not only placed in walls. They can be applied to metals, and any other material in which an individual wants to keep a low thermal temperature.
Engine components are the most common metal to which thermal barriers are applied. In this case, a thermal barrier keeps an engine from experiencing corrosion or oxidation due to the heat. Some engines tend to stall as the temperature rises. A stalled engine occurs due to thermal friction, but a thermal barrier anticipates this need and reduces any thermal friction or fatigue that might occur. Unfortunately, thermal barriers don't last forever, and must be reapplied after a period of time.
Thermal barriers are also commonly used on vehicles that have exhaust or turbo systems that experience extreme temperature ranges. The vehicle is made safer by having the barrier better regulate the car's temperature. In addition to vehicles, thermal barriers are also used on jet engines. Thermal barriers are currently being studied by US and European scientific teams so they can gain a better understanding of how to create and protect multifunctional surfaces. These teams focus on creating thermal barriers that can provide insulation as well as corrosion protection.
Thermal barriers will continue to be used, because they extend the life of buildings, electrical components, and engines. In buildings, they slow down fires, and engines applied with a thermal barrier experience good erosion resistance. Heat and fires have caused destruction since the beginning of time, but the advancement of technology and the introduction of thermal barriers has provided one solution to slow down heat destruction.
