Flexible thin film ceramics for high temperature thermal sensing applications

Abstract

Yttria Stabilized Zirconia ceramics have been widely used as protective boundary for high temperature environments and flame shields, intrinsic barrier to moisture, and are often considered for extreme environments. This class of materials has the ability to withstand temperatures up to 3000 °C, far exceeding the maximum temperature of operation for most other materials including polymers. Previously, the design of high performing functional materials involving ceramics was limited due to the bulkiness and lack of flexibility of ceramics. However, with the advent of ultra-thin flexible ceramics, it is possible to create thin layered structures that were not previously possible. In this study the authors investigate the potential of 40 μm thin flexible ceramic strips as flame shields for silica aerogels and polydimethylsiloxane phosphor composites. Results show that thermographic phosphors can be excited across multiple layers of YSZ strips, and, their emission characteristics can be accurately detected across multiple layers. Both decay characteristics and amplitude ratio methods were investigated. The YSZ strips provided thermal protection to both aerogels and elastomers. Embedded thermographic phosphor-based temperature measurements were feasible to a depth of at least 120 μm.

Publication Title

Optical Materials

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