TABLE OF EMISSIVITY

OF VARIOUS SURFACES
 Table of Emissivity of Various Surfaces For Infrared Thermometry

Introduction:
Emissivity is a modifying factor used in single color thermometry to achieve a
correct temperature reading. Emissivity, or radiating efficiency, of most
materials is function of surface condition, temperature and wavelength of
measurement.
In the following table, values for the total emissivity of various surfaces, as
well as spectral emissivity at a given temperature, have been tabulated.
Total emissivity is defined as the resultant value when the individual
emissivity factors are averaged over the total radiation spectrum being
utilized.
The user may find that for the application a different emissivity setting is
required than the one tabulated. This table, however, will provide the best
initial setting. A more refined value should be determined experimentally.

References:
1) Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, Chemical Rubber Publishing Co.,
Cleveland, Ohio
2) DMIC Report 177, Battelle Memorial Institute
3) Thermal Radiation Properties Survey, Honeywell Research Center

LumaSense Technologies, Inc.

3301 Leonard Ct.
Santa Clara, CA 95054, USA
www.lumasenseinc.com
[email protected]

*When range of values for temperature and emissivity are given, end 2
points correspond and linear interpolation of emissivity is acceptable.
 Table of Emissivity of Various Surfaces For Infrared Thermometry

Environmental Specifications

Material Temperature °C *Emissivity

Alloys
20Ni-25Cr-55Fe, oxidized 200 0.90
500 0.97
60Ni-12Cr-28Fe, oxidized 270 0.89
560 0.82
80Ni-20Cr, oxidized 100 0.87
600 0.87
1300 0.89
Aluminum
Polished 100 0.095
Highly Polished 50-500 0.04-0.06
Unoxidized 25 0.022
100 0.028
500 0.060
Oxidized 200 0.11
600 0.19
Commercial Sheet 100 0.090
Anodized Sheet, Chromic Acid Proc 100 0.55
Heavily Oxidized 93-504 0.2-0.31
Aluminum Oxide 500-827 0.42-0.26

Asbestos
Board 20 0.96
Cement 0-200 0.96
Cloth 93 0.90
Paper 0-100 0.95
Asphalt Ambient 0.90-0.98

*When range of values for temperature and emissivity are given, end 3
points correspond and linear interpolation of emissivity is acceptable.
 Table of Emissivity of Various Surfaces For Infrared Thermometry

Material Temperature °C *Emissivity

A Oil, on polished metal

.001” Thick Ambient 0.27
.002” Thick Ambient 0.46
005” Thick Ambient 0.72

Bismuth, Unoxidized
Bismuth, Unoxidized 25 0.048
100 0.061

Brass
Polished 200 0.03
Unoxidized 25 0.035
100 0.035
Oxidized 200 0.61
600 0.59
Rolled Sheet 20 0.06

Brick
Building 1000 0.450
Red, rough, no gross irregularities 20 0.930
Grog, brick, glazed 1100 0.750
Silica brick 1000 0.80
1100 0.85
Fire Brick 1000 0.750
Bronze, Polished 50 0.10

Carbon
Filament 1000-1400 0.53
Graphite 0-3600 0.70-0.80
Lamp, black, water glass coating 20-400 0.96
Soot applied to solid 50-1000 0.96
Candle soot 97-270 0.952
Graphite, pressed, filed surface 250-510 0.980
Unoxidized 25 0.81
*When range of values for temperature and emissivity are given, end 4
points correspond and linear interpolation of emissivity is acceptable.
 Table of Emissivity of Various Surfaces For Infrared Thermometry

Material Temperature °C *Emissivity

100 0.81
500 0.81
Carborundum 87SIC; 2.3 density 1010-1400 0.920-0.820

Ceramic
Earthenware 20 0.90
Porcelain, Glazed 20 0.92
Refractory Black 93 0.94
Refractory White 93 0.90
Chromium
Polished 50 0.10
500-1000 0.28-0.38
Unoxidized 100 0.08
Oxidized 316 0.08
482 0.18
650 0.27
816 0.36
982 0.66
Cobalt, Unoxidized
Cobalt, Unoxidized 500 0.13
1000 0.23
Columbium
Polished 1500 0.19
2000 0.24
Oxidized 816 0.73
927 0.70
Concrete 0-100 0.94

Concrete Tiles 1000 0.630

Copper
Commercial, Scoured to a shine 20 0.07
*When range of values for temperature and emissivity are given, end 5
points correspond and linear interpolation of emissivity is acceptable.
 Table of Emissivity of Various Surfaces For Infrared Thermometry

Material Temperature °C *Emissivity

Calorized 100 0.26
Calorized, oxidized 200 0.18
600 0.19
Plate, heated long time, covered with
25 0.78
Thick oxide layer
Plate, heated at 600°C 200-600 0.570
Cuprous Oxide 800-1100 0.66-0.54
Polished 50-100 0.02-0.05
Oxidized 50 0.6-0.7
200 0.60
500 0.88
Unoxidized 100 0.02
Liquid 0.15
Dow Metal 232-400 0.24-0.20

Enamel, white, fused on iron 19 0.900

Glass
Smooth 0-200 0.95
250-1000 0.87-0.72
1100-1500 0.70-0.67
Fused Quartz 320 0.75
Covex D Glass 320 0.76
Nonex Glass 320 0.82
Pyrex 0-300 0.90
Gold
Pure, highly polished 100 0.02
Carefully polished 200-600 0.02-0.03
Unoxidized 100 0.02
500 0.03
Enamel 100 0.37
Graphite 0-3600 0.70-0.80

*When range of values for temperature and emissivity are given, end 6
points correspond and linear interpolation of emissivity is acceptable.
 Table of Emissivity of Various Surfaces For Infrared Thermometry

Material Temperature °C *Emissivity

Gypsum 0.02” thick on smooth Or

20 0.93
blackened plate

Human Skin 36.7-37.2 0.985

Inconel
Type X 0.550-0.780
Type B 450-1620 0.350-0.550
Iron
Cast Oxidized 200-600 0.64-0.78
Strongly Oxidized 40 0.95
250 0.95
Unoxidized 100 0.21
Polished 200 0.210
Newly turned 22 0.440
Turned and heated 882-990 0.600-0.700
Liquid Unoxidized 0.29
Rusted 25 0.65
Wrought, dull 100 0.50
Wrought iron, dull oxidized 21-360 0.940
Wrought, highly polished 38-250 0.280
Oxidized 100 0.74
500 0.84
Unoxidized 1200 0.89
Plate, pickled, then rusted red 20 0.610
Plate, completely rusted 19 0.690
Smooth oxidized electrolytic iron 127-527 0.780-0.820
Iron oxide 500-1200 0.85-0.89
Rough-ingot iron 927-1116 0.870-0.950
Cast Plate, oxidized, smooth 23 0.8
Cast Plate, oxidized, rough 23 0.82
Molten pure iron 1516-1771 0.420-0.450
Molten Armco iron 1521-1689 0.400-0.410
*When range of values for temperature and emissivity are given, end 7
points correspond and linear interpolation of emissivity is acceptable.
 Table of Emissivity of Various Surfaces For Infrared Thermometry

Material Temperature °C *Emissivity

Lead
Pure (99.96%) Unoxidized 127-227 0.057-0.075
Oxidized 200 0.63
Oxidized, Gray 24 0.280
Magnesium
Magnesium Oxide 227-826 0.550-0.200
900-1704 0.200
Magnesite
Refractory Brick 1000 0.380
Marble, light grey polished 0-100 0.903

Mercury, Unoxidized
Mercury, Unoxidized 0 0.09
25 0.10
100 0.12
Molybdenum
Polished 538 0.05
1482 0.17
Oxidized 538 0.82
Unoxidized 1000 0.13
1500 0.19
2000 0.24
Filament 827-2593 0.096-0.202
Monel metal
Oxidized 200 0.43
600 0.43

Nichrome Wire
Clean 50 0.65

*When range of values for temperature and emissivity are given, end 8
points correspond and linear interpolation of emissivity is acceptable.
 Table of Emissivity of Various Surfaces For Infrared Thermometry

Material Temperature °C *Emissivity

500-1000 0.71-0.79
Oxidized 50-500 0.95-0.98
Nickel
Polished low 0.12
1204 0.32
Oxidized 200 0.37
871 0.85
1200 0.85
Unoxidized 25 0.045
100 0.06
500 0.12
1000 0.19
Electroplated, Polished 23 0.045
Electroplated, not polished 20 0.110
Wire 187-1007 0.096-0.186
Plate, oxidized by heating at 600°C 200-600 0.370-0.480
Nickel Oxide 650-1254 0.590-0.860
Chromnickel 52-1034 0.640-0.760
Nickel-Silver Polished 100 0.135
Oak, Planed 21 0.900

Oil Layers on Aluminum foil (Linseed Oil)

Aluminum foil 100 0.087
+1, 2 coats oil 100 0.561-0.574
Paint, Lacquers, Varnishes
Alum. Paint 0-100 0.55
Bronze Paint 0-100 0.80
Black Glass Paint 0-100 0.90
White Lacquer 0-100 0.95
Green paint 0-100 0.95
Gray paint 0-100 0.95
Lamp black 0-100 0.95
*When range of values for temperature and emissivity are given, end 9
points correspond and linear interpolation of emissivity is acceptable.
 Table of Emissivity of Various Surfaces For Infrared Thermometry

Material Temperature °C *Emissivity

Gold Enamel 0-100 0.37
Snow white enamel varnish on
23 0.906
Rough iron plate
Black shiny lacquer, sprayed on iron 24 0.875
Black shiny shellac on tinned iron sheet 21 0.821
Black matte shellac 77-146 0.910
Black on white lacquer 38-93 0.800-0.950
Flat black lacquer 38-93 0.960-0.980
Oil paints, 16 diff (all colors) 100 0.920-0.960
Aluminum paints & lacquers 10% A1 22%
100 0.270-0.670
Lacquer body, on rough or smooth surface
A1 lacquer, varnish binder on rough plate 21 0.390
A1 paint after heating to 326°C 150-316 0.350
Radiator Paint
White, Cream, Bleach 100 0.790, 0.770, 0.840
Radiator Paint, bronze 100 0.510
Lacquer coatings, 0.001-0.015”
38-150 0.870-0.970
Thick on alum. alloys
3M Nextel 101-C10 0-300 0.97
Mikron high temp test paint ambient-650 0.93
Clear Silicone vehicle coating 0.001-
260 0.660
0.150” thick: on mild steels
On stainless steels 316, 301, 347 260 0.680, 0.750
On dow metal 260 0.740
On A1 Alloys, 24ST, 75ST 260 0.770,0.820
Aluminum paint with silicone vehicle
260 0.290
Paint on Inconel
Dull black varnish 40-100 0.80-0.95
Glossy black varnich sprayed on iron 20 0.87
40 0.96-0.98
Paper, Any Color 0-100 0.94
Thinipasted on Tinned or
19 0.920-0.940
Blackened Plate

*When range of values for temperature and emissivity are given, end 10
points correspond and linear interpolation of emissivity is acceptable.
 Table of Emissivity of Various Surfaces For Infrared Thermometry

Material Temperature °C *Emissivity

Plaster 0-200 0.91

Plastics, Opaque any color 25 0.950

Platinum
Cleaned Polished 200-600 0.05-0.10
Filament 27-1227 0.036-0.192
Unoxidized 25 0.037
100 0.047
500 0.096
1000 0.152
1500 0.191
Wire 50-200 0.06-0.07
500-1000 0.10-0.16
1400 0.18
Propellant:
Liquid Rocket engine 600-4500 0.900
Quartz
Rough, fused 21 0.930
Glass, 1.98mm Thick 282-838 0.900-0.410
Glass, 6.88mm Thick 300-838 0.930-0.470
Opaque 300-838 0.920-0.680
Roofing Paper 21 0.910

Silica (98 Si O2, Fe-free) effect of grain size

Microns 10 microns 1010-1566 0.420-0.330
70-600 microns 1010-1566 0.620-0.460

Silver
Polished 100 0.052
Cleaned Polished 200-600 0.02-0.03
Unoxidized 100 0.02
*When range of values for temperature and emissivity are given, end 11
points correspond and linear interpolation of emissivity is acceptable.
 Table of Emissivity of Various Surfaces For Infrared Thermometry

Material Temperature °C *Emissivity

500 0.035
Stainless Steel 18-8
Buffed 20 0.160
Polished 93 0.16
371 0.19
Oxidized 93-371 0.83
316 0.74
Stainless Steel 303
Oxidized 1093 0.87
Stainless Steel 304 (8Cri 18Ni) light
216-490 0.440-0.360
silvery, Rough, brown, after heating
After 42 hours of heating at 527°C 216-527 0.620-0.730
Stainless Steel 310 (25Cr, 20Ni) brown, splotched,
Oxidized from furnace service 216-527 0.900-0.970
Stainless Steel
Allegheny metal No. 4, polished 100 0.130
Allegheny metal No. 66, polished 100 0.110
Steel
Alloyed (8%Ni, 18%Cr) 500 0.35
Aluminized 50-500 0.79
Dull Nickel Plated 20 0.11
Flat, Rough Surface 50 0.95-0.98
Cast, Polished 750-1050 0.52-0.56
Calorized, Oxidized 200 0.52
600 0.57
Sheet Steel, Ground 938-1100 0.550-0.610
Sheet Steel, Rolled 21 0.660
Sheet Steel, Strong, Rough Oxide Layer 24 0.800
Sheet with Shiny layer of oxide 20 0.82
Oxidized 25 0.80
200 0.79
600 0.79
*When range of values for temperature and emissivity are given, end 12
points correspond and linear interpolation of emissivity is acceptable.
 Table of Emissivity of Various Surfaces For Infrared Thermometry

Material Temperature °C *Emissivity

Unoxidized 100 0.08
Molten Steel 1500-1650 0.420-0.530
1520-1650 0.430-0.40
Molten Mild Steel 1600-1800 0.280
Molten Steel, various with 0.25-1.2%
1560-1710 0.270-0.390
(slightly oxidized surfaces)
Molten Steel, unoxidized Liquid 0.280
Steel Plate, Rough 40 0.94
400 0.97
600 0.57
Tantalum
Unoxidized 1500 0.21
2000 0.26
Filament 1327-3000 0.190-0.310
Thorium Oxide 277-500 0.580-0.360
Tin
Unoxidized 25 0.05
Commercial tin-plated sheet iron 100 0.070-0.080
Tungsten
Filament, aged 27-3316 0.320-0.350
Filament 3316 0.390
Unoxidized 25 0.024
100 0.032
500 0.071
1000 0.15
1500 0.23
2000 0.28
Turbojet Engine Operating 350-600 0.900

Water Ambient 0.96

Wood

*When range of values for temperature and emissivity are given, end 13
points correspond and linear interpolation of emissivity is acceptable.
 Table of Emissivity of Various Surfaces For Infrared Thermometry

Material Temperature °C *Emissivity

Spruce, sanded 93 0.82
Oak, planed 0-200 0.89
Zinc
Highly Polished 200-300 0.04-0.05
Unoxidized 300 0.05
Oxidized be heating at 399°C 399 0.110
Galvanized Sheet Iron, fairly bright 28 0.230
Galvanized sheet iron, gray oxidized 24 0.280
Zinc, galvanized sheet 100 0.210
Zirconium Silicate
Zirconium Silicate 238-500 0.920-0.800
500-832 0.800-0.520

*When range of values for temperature and emissivity are given, end 14
points correspond and linear interpolation of emissivity is acceptable.
 Table of Emissivity of Various Surfaces For Infrared Thermometry

TABLE I
Spectral Emissivities of
Materials, Surface Unoxidized
Emissivity at .65 µ

Material Solid State Liquid State

Beryllium 0.61 0.61

Carbon 0.80-0.93
Chromium 0.34 0.39
Cobalt 0.36 0.37
Columbium 0.37 0.40
Copper 0.10 0.15
Erbium 0.55 0.38
Gold 0.14 0.22
Iridium 0.30
Iron 0.35 0.37
Manganese 0.59 0.59
Molybdenum 0.37 0.40
Nickel 0.36 0.37
Palladium 0.33 0.37
Platinum 0.30 0.38
Rhodium 0.24 0.30
Silver 0.07 0.07
Tantalum 0.49
Thorium 0.36 0.40
Titanium 0.63 0.65
Tungsten 0.43
Uranium 0.54 0.34
Vanadium 0.35 0.32
Yttrium 0.35 0.35
Zirconium 0.32 0.30
Steel 0.35 0.37
Cast Iron 0.37 0.40
Constantan 0.35
*When range of values for temperature and emissivity are given, end 15
points correspond and linear interpolation of emissivity is acceptable.
 Table of Emissivity of Various Surfaces For Infrared Thermometry

Material Solid State Liquid State

Monel 0.37
Chromel P (90 Ni-10 Cr) 0.35
80 Ni-20 Cr 0.35
60 Ni-24 Fe-16 Cr 0.36
Alumel (95 Ni; Bal. Al, Mn. Si) 0.37
90 Pt-10 Rh 0.27

*When range of values for temperature and emissivity are given, end 16
points correspond and linear interpolation of emissivity is acceptable.
 Table of Emissivity of Various Surfaces For Infrared Thermometry

TABLE II
Spectral Emissivities of Oxides
Emissivity at .65 µ

Material Range of Observed Probable Value of the Oxide

Values Formed On Smooth Metal

Aluminum Oxide 0.22 to 0.40 0.30

Beryllium Oxide 0.07 to 0.37 0.35
Cerium Oxide 0.58 to 0.80
Chromium Oxide 0.60 to 0.80 0.70
Cobalt Oxide 0.75
Columbium Oxide 0.55 to 0.71 0.70
Copper Oxide 0.60 to 0.80 0.70
Iron Oxide 0.63 to 0.98 0.70
Magnesium Oxide 0.10 to 0.43 0.20
Nickel Oxide 0.85 to 0.96 0.90
Thorium Oxide 0.20 to 0.57 0.50
Tin Oxide 0.32 to 0.60
Titanium Oxide 0.50
Uranium Oxide 0.30
Vanadium Oxide 0.70
Yttrium Oxide 0.60
Zirconium Oxide 0.18 to 0.43 0.40
Alumel (oxidized) 0.87
Cast Iron (oxidized) 0.70
Chromel P (90 Ni-10 Cr) 0.87
(oxidized)
80 Ni-20 Cr (oxidized) 0.90
60 Ni-24 Fe-16 Cr (oxidized) 0.83
55 Fe-37.5 Cr-7.5 Al (oxidized) 0.78
70 Fe-23 Dr-5 Al-2 Co (oxidized) 0.75
Constantan (55 Cu-45 Ni) 0.84
(oxidized)
Carbon Steel (oxidized) 0.80

*When range of values for temperature and emissivity are given, end 17
points correspond and linear interpolation of emissivity is acceptable.
 Table of Emissivity of Various Surfaces For Infrared Thermometry

Material Range of Observed Probable Value of the Oxide

Values Formed On Smooth Metal

Stainless Steel (18-8) (oxidized) 0.85

Porcelain 0.25 to 0.50

*When range of values for temperature and emissivity are given, end 18
points correspond and linear interpolation of emissivity is acceptable.
 Table of Emissivity of Various Surfaces For Infrared Thermometry

TABLE III
Additional Emissivities at .65 µ

EMITTANCE
MATERIAL TEMPERATURE °C POLISHED COARSE
SURFACE SURFACE
STEEL
Not oxidized 100-1200 0.35 0.35
Lightly oxidized 100-1200 0.45 0.5
Severely oxidized 100-1200 0.8-0.95 0.8-0.95
Molten 1500 0.38 0.38
COPPER
Not oxidized 100-1000 0.06 0.2
Lightly oxidized 100-1000 0.4 0.5
Severely oxidized 100-1000 0.8 0.8
Molten 1080 0.15 0.15
LEAD
Not oxidized 50-300 0.3 0.4
Lightly oxidized 50-300 0.4 0.55
Severely oxidized 50-300 0.6-0.7 0.6-0.7
Molten 330
BRICK
White brick 1000 0.3 0.3
Sillimanite brick 1000 0.5-0.6 0.5-0.6
Silica brick 1000 0.45-0.75 0.45-0.75

*When range of values for temperature and emissivity are given, end 19
points correspond and linear interpolation of emissivity is acceptable.