Abstract: A method for fabricating thermal effect standards includes providing an oven, placing at least one temperature sensor at measurement location in the oven, operating the oven, monitoring a temperature output of the at least one temperature sensor, providing at least one composite material specimen, placing the at least one composite material specimen at the measurement location in the oven and heat treating the at least one composite material specimen as at least one thermal effect standard by operating the oven according to the temperature output of the at least one temperature sensor. A method of determining a physical property of a composite material is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for fabricating thermal effect standards includes providing an oven, placing at least one temperature sensor at measurement location in the oven, operating the oven, monitoring a temperature output of the at least one temperature sensor, providing at least one composite material specimen, placing the at least one composite material specimen at the measurement location in the oven and heat treating the at least one composite material specimen as at least one thermal effect standard by operating the oven according to the temperature output of the at least one temperature sensor. A method of determining a physical property of a composite material is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for measuring the thickness of an opaque coating using near-infrared infrared absorbance are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method includes transmitting the near-infrared radiation towards the opaque material and determining relative absorbance levels over a range of near-infrared wavelengths. Absorbance wavelengths having relatively high absorbance and relatively low absorbance are then identified and selected. The selected wavelength values are then correlated with known material thicknesses.