An improved calibration method for infrared radiometers is developed that h
as been shown to increase the accuracy of temperature measurement. To valid
ate this new calibration technique, high strain rate compression tests are
performed on the aluminum alloy BS 2011 and high strain rate torsion tests
are performed on the titanium alloy 90%Ti-6%Al-4%V. The adiabatic temperatu
re rise that occurs during these tests is measured using an infrared radiom
eter and validated, in the case of the compression tests, using fast respon
se thermocouples. The proportion of plastic work converted to heat, beta, i
s found to increase with plastic strain for both materials, which is simila
r to previous research. These results challenge the classical assumption th
at beta has a constant value of approximately 0.95.