Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods for rapidly evaluating light transmission through coatings including paints, primers, thin films, surfacing films, laminates and the like are disclosed. The system includes a light source for transmitting light through a coating sample. A sample holder holds the coating sample in a position to receive the incident light. A spectrometer measures an amount of the transmitted light that passes through the coating sample. Optionally, one or more optical filters may be used to condition any transmitted light that passes through the coating sample to reduce the intensity of the light outside of wavelengths of interest. An opaque cover encloses the spectrometer, the one or more optional optical filters, and at least part of the sample holder to prevent light other than the transmitted light from the light source from entering the spectrometer such that any transmitted light passing through the coating sample can be accurately evaluated.

Abstract: A system for measuring thermal degradation of composites includes a cylindrical body; a bottom cover having a lower central aperture; an upper concave mirror facing the bottom cover with an upper central orifice concentric with a central axis of the body; a lower concave mirror facing the upper concave mirror with a lower central orifice concentric with the central axis; a source of actinic radiation between the upper concave mirror and the lower concave mirror on the central axis to direct actinic radiation through the lower central orifice and lower central aperture; and a camera with an image sensor positioned concentrically relative to the upper central orifice; wherein the bottom cover is adjustable relative to the cylindrical body to provide a focusing function for the image sensor by varying the distance from the lower central orifice and the upper reflective surface.

Abstract: A system for measuring thermal degradation of composites includes a cylindrical body; a bottom cover having a lower central aperture; an upper concave mirror facing the bottom cover with an upper central orifice concentric with a central axis of the body; a lower concave mirror facing the upper concave mirror with a lower central orifice concentric with the central axis; a source of actinic radiation between the upper concave mirror and the lower concave mirror on the central axis to direct actinic radiation through the lower central orifice and lower central aperture; and a camera with an image sensor positioned concentrically relative to the upper central orifice; wherein the bottom cover is adjustable relative to the cylindrical body to provide a focusing function for the image sensor by varying the distance from the lower central orifice and the upper reflective surface.

Abstract: A method of determining a physical property of a composite material includes providing a series of composite materials surfacing films, which are subjected to increasing thermal experience to create a set of thermal effect standards, collecting near-IR spectra on those standards, performing data pre-processing and then multivariate calibration on the spectra of the composite materials surfacing films, and using that calibration to predict the thermal effect for samples in question.

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 of determining a physical property of a composite material includes providing a series of composite materials surfacing films, which are subjected to increasing thermal experience to create a set of thermal effect standards, collecting near-IR spectra on those standards, performing data pre-processing and then multivariate calibration on the spectra of the composite materials surfacing films, and using that calibration to predict the thermal effect for samples in question.

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.