Application of encapsulated liquid crystals on heat transfer measurements in the fin-body interaction region at hypersonic speed

Using encapsulated liquid crystals, heat transfer measurements are made for the fin-body interference region of an ogive-cylinder model located in a hypersonic flow. A variable heat flux generator is used to calibrate the crystals for temperature range and response time. Temperature as a function of time is measured optically by microcapsulated liquid crystals and electrically by thermocouples. In this way the two methods may be compared. Reference colors eliminate errors caused by dye variations formed during film processing.