Thermal Conduction Effects in Human Skin. III. Influence of Epidermal Thickness and Exposure Time

Abstract

Empirical data relating temperatures and thermal properties of materials to pain and blister end points have provided graphs and equations for predicting safe temperatures for any material in contact with bare skin for 1 to 5 seconds solely from a knowledge of its thermal properties. Conversely, the thermal inertia (krhoc) of the optimal material for a specific use, and safe skin contact, can be predicted from a knowledge of the maximum material temperature and the length of contact time anticipated. Increasing epidermal thickness causes can orderly elevation of the material temperature at pain threshold at fixed contact times, or lengthened contact times at fixed material temperatures, as indicated in the graphs and equations. The data base and procedures described provide a simple means of evaluating the thermal safety of materials in contact with bare skin and pre-determining the krhoc required for such safety in selecting suitable materials in myriad construction and manufacturing applications.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 15, 1979
Accession Number
ADA068481

Entities

People

  • A. M. Stoll
  • J. R. Piergallini
  • M. A. Chianta

Organizations

  • Naval Air Warfare Center Warminster

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Conduction (Heat Transfer)
  • Data Acquisition
  • Databases
  • Equations
  • Experimental Data
  • Fixed Contacts
  • Heat Transfer
  • Heat Transmission
  • High Temperature
  • Human Factors Engineering
  • Masonite
  • Materials
  • Observation
  • Physical Properties
  • Thermal Conductivity
  • Thermal Properties
  • Thickness

Readers

  • Computational Modeling and Simulation
  • Thermal Physics or Thermal Science.
  • Trauma Surgery or Emergency Medicine.