Investigation of Formulations on Pyrene-Based Anodized-Aluminum Pressure-Sensitive Paints for Supersonic Phenomena

Abstract

Pressure-sensitive paint (PSP) is an optical sensor that can measure global pressure distribution by using the oxygen quenching of dye molecules. In particular, anodized aluminum pressure-sensitive paint (AA-PSP) exhibits a fast time response. AA-PSP has been used in unsteady measurements at supersonic and transonic speeds, such as on the surface of a transonic free-flying sphere or the wall of a shock tube when the shock wave passes. To capture such ultrafast phenomena, the frame rate of the camera must be sufficiently fast, and the exposure time must be sufficiently short. Therefore, it is desirable that the AA-PSP exhibits bright luminescence, high-pressure sensitivity, and fast response time. This study focused on pyrene-based AA-PSPs and investigated their characteristics, such as luminescence intensity and pressure sensitivity, at different anodization times, dipping solvents, and dipping concentrations. Furthermore, a time-response test using a shock tube was conducted on the brightest AA-PSP. Consequently, the time for a 90% rise in pressure was 2.2 μs.