The maximum temperature, or Heat Build Up (HBU), of a coated surface exposed to the solar spectrum is dependent on several coating parameters including emissivity, total solar reflectance, thermal conductivity, and thickness. Additional parameters are also important, such as the wind speed, air temperature, cloud coverage, and humidity. Existing mathematical models are available that can predict the maximum HBU achievable under a variety of conditions. Separate from HBU, models and ASTM methods also exist for determining the safe-touch temperature for various heated or hot surfaces.

Coupling the HBU models with safe touch temperatures for Thermally Insulative Coatings (TIC) that are applied to above-ambient surfaces provides considerable value. Ultimately, success with this approach would allow for the determination of whether the safe touch temperature is achievable. The present work evaluates how the coating parameters influence the surface temperature of a coated metal pipe across a range of realistic environmental conditions while including the effect of solar irradiance.