Testing of Thermal Insulators.
Testing of Thermal Insulators.
(1410 K)
Zarr, R. R.
NIST SP 958; January 2001.
Century of Excellence in Measurements, Standards, and
Technology; A Chronicle of Selected Publications of
NBS/NIST, 1901-2000. NIST SP 958, Lide, D. R.,
Editor(s), 10-13 pp, 2001.
Available from:
Government Printing Office, Washington,
DC 20401-0003.
Telephone: 202-512-1800.
Website:
http://www.gpo.gov
Order number: SN003-003-03688-9
Keywords:
thermal insulators; tests
Abstract:
At the turn of the 20th century the refrigeration
industry in the United States was becoming a commercial
reality. Mechanical refrigeration technology had
achieved economic viability as a means of producing ice
for cooling and was on the threshold of moving into
households as an everyday appliance. Advances were
underway to provide mechanical "air conditioning" for
public buildings, such as, theaters, department stores,
and skyscrapers. In general, the early 1900s saw the
evolution of a scientific approach to refrigeration
through company sponsored research and development. It
was the technical progress in the area of cooling and
heating for industrial progress and thermal comfort that
stimulated the development of thermal insulation
standards at NIST. As described in "Measures for
Progress: A History of the National Bureau of Standards"
Congress, at the request of the refrigeration industry,
appropriated funding in 1913 for investigation of
physical constants involved in the construction and
operation of large-scale refrigeration machinery.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899