In-depth wood temperature measurement using embedded thin wire thermocouples in cone calorimeter tests

In-depth temperature measurements of wood samples using thermocouples are commonly performed in fire research at all scales. However, the size or type how they placed sample can lead to measured being significantly different. In this work, an original method combining thin wire with a meticulous implantation, was used provide accurate measurement in-depth during their degradation. Wood were thus equipped both embedded (0.1 mm diameter) and sheathed (1 installed perpendicularly parallel conductive heat flux compare results between two kinds measurements. Afterwards, exposed cone calorimeter different fluxes (from 16.5 kW.m−2 93.5 kW.m−2) order measure mass loss The smallness high flexibility enabled without affecting measurement. This is usually not possible when thermocouples, because stiffness. Results showed that it crucial rigorously control thermocouple as underestimation up observed for put near surface flux. There several reasons difference: sink due through body, poor contact sensor uncertainty about actual position thermocouple. char front evolution deduced from by found comply direct layer on samples. Finally, charring rate obtained function follow affine law.