Comparative Surface Heat Transfer Measurements in Hypervelocity Flow

Abstract

Experimental heat flux measurements are made using both thermocouple and thin film
\ngages in high-temperature, hypersonic flows. Thermocouple and thin film gages have individually
\nbeen extensively used in relatively high and low enthalpy conditions respectively.
\nIn this study, three test conditions with varying (intermediate) stagnation enthalpies, Mach
\nand Reynolds numbers are created in an expansion tube facility, and temperature histories
\nand heat flux measurements obtained using the two gage types are directly compared.
\nGage performance in terms of survivability, response, uncertainty, and signal-to-noise ratio
\nis assessed for both blunt body and flat plate models.