Improvement of emissivity measurements on reflective insulation materials

Reflective insulation helps buildings improve energy efficiency. Manufacturers of these products must declare their surface emissivity, so customers can calculate energy savings in accordance with EU directives. Different emissivity measurement techniques have large discrepancies and there is an urgent need to improve accuracy of these measurements to enhance innovation and allow superior products to demonstrate their added benefits.

Responding to this need, this project tested commercial emissivity measurement techniques to understand their limitations, and improve reference techniques at NMIs to lower uncertainties. It has created reference samples and best practice calibration and measurement procedures which bring traceability to commercial instruments. The results will be used to propose amendments to current standards EN 16012 and ISO 6946. This will allow developers of thermal insulation materials to perform reliable emissivity measurements, and develop higher performance products. Such products will help improve energy efficiency in buildings, and also support other industries which use reflective foils, including aerospace, automotive, nuclear power, and packaging.

EMPIR project 21GRD03 PaRaMetriC builds on this work.