Ideality of pressure-sensitive paint. IV. Improvement of luminescence behavior by addition of pigment

We report the effect of inorganic pigments on the diffusion properties of a polymer matrix. The presence of pigments has a large effect on the frequen cy factor and the activation energy of the diffusion of oxygen in the polym er matrix. This effect is used to modify the overall temperature dependence of the luminescence in pressure-sensitive paint (PSP). Ideality of lumines cence (i.e., independent effect of pressure and temperature on the luminesc ence intensity) can be achieved with a PSP formulation by using a low-cost and commercial silicone polymer using Al2O3 as the pigment. Ideality temper ature limits (ITL) can be tailored by adjusting the pigment volume concentr ation (PVC) in the paint formulation. With the appropriate adjustment of PV C, the luminescence characteristics of the PSP can be designed to suit the particular needs of the Rind-tunnel researchers. (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons , Inc.