What Can Thermal Imaging See Through?

Many things are invincible to the naked eye, but thermal imaging cannot. Technology has made it possible to capture things that the naked eye cannot see. Thermal imaging devices are widely used in industry, law enforcement to see through walls, and now even consumers. Thermal images paint a real-time picture of what is happening to the object you are looking at. Thermal imaging can see things invisible to the naked eye in normal light.

Thermal imaging is a technique that uses the thermal energy emitted by an object to capture an image of an object without contact with the object itself. The idea came about by converting visible light into an electrical signal and displaying it on a monitor.

Thermal imaging cameras are mainly used in security applications to detect any heat source around a given area for detection, monitoring, and identification. Let's take a deep dive into how thermal imaging works and what it can see through.

What can thermal imaging see through? Thermal imaging can see through a variety of materials that allow infrared light to pass through. However, certain materials block or prevent infrared light from passing through. Here are some materials that a thermal camera can and cannot see through.

What can thermal imaging see through? Here is a list of materials you can view with thermal imaging:

Thermal imaging can see through plastics because infrared rays can see through plastics. For example, thermal imaging cameras can capture objects wrapped in plastic. Thermal radiation can penetrate the plastic and show up on a thermal imaging camera.

Thermal imaging can see through smoke because infrared light can see through it. For example, a thermal camera can detect a person in a room filled with smoke. Smoke does not block heat radiation, making it visible to thermal imaging cameras.

Thermal imaging can see through dust because infrared rays can see through the dust. Dust cannot block thermal radiation, making objects visible to thermal imaging cameras. For example, a vehicle covered in dust can be seen on a thermal imaging camera.

Thermal imaging can see through the sand because infrared light can penetrate sand. For example, a thermal camera can capture a person buried in the sand. Sand does not block heat radiation, which makes people visible on thermal imaging cameras.

Raindrops cannot block infrared light, so thermal imaging cameras can see people even in the rain. Heat waves can penetrate raindrops, making them visible to thermal imaging cameras.

Fog does not block infrared light, so objects can be seen on the camera even in the fog. Heat waves can penetrate fog and make objects visible on thermal imaging cameras. For example, thermal imaging cameras can see people hidden in dense fog.

Darkness cannot block heat waves, which makes objects visible on thermal cameras. Dark objects are drowned in light and can be seen on a thermal imaging camera. For example, thermal imaging cameras can catch people hiding in the dark.

Can thermal imaging see-through walls? Walls can block infrared rays. This means that objects hidden in walls cannot be seen on the thermal imager. Infrared light cannot pass through walls, making it invisible to thermal cameras.

Just like walls, concrete blocks infrared light. This means objects cannot be seen through concrete and cannot be seen by thermal imaging cameras. Infrared light cannot pass through concrete, making it invisible to thermal cameras.

Like walls, glass blocks infrared rays. This means that the object cannot be seen through the glass window and is hidden from the thermal imager. Infrared light cannot pass through glass windows, which makes people invisible to thermal cameras.

Metal blocks infrared rays. This means that when an object is placed in metal, the thermal imaging camera cannot see the object. Infrared light cannot pass through metal, so it cannot be detected by thermal imaging cameras. For example, placing an object in steel prevents infrared light from penetrating.

Like glass, water blocks infrared rays. This means objects cannot be seen through pools or fountains and are hidden from thermal imaging cameras. Infrared rays cannot pass through water and are invisible to thermal cameras.

Like glass, aluminum foil blocks infrared light. This means objects cannot be seen through the foil and are hidden from thermal cameras. Infrared rays cannot pass through aluminum foil and are invisible to thermal cameras.

The working principle of the thermal imager is based on the principle of infrared radiation. This radiation is converted into electrical energy, which is then processed to create images. Infrared radiation can pass through many objects, making them visible to thermal imaging cameras. They are used in military, energy, entertainment and law enforcement.

What materials can infrared rays pass through? Thermal imaging works well with selected materials such as fog, snow, and darkness, while others such as metal and concrete block infrared waves from passing through them. Can thermal imaging see-through walls? Now we know the answer is no.

The above briefly introduces the working principle of thermal imaging and the things that thermal imaging can see through. If you want to buy a thermal imaging system, please contact us.

With leading R&D technology and excellent manufacturing process, JAVOL has become an industry-leading infrared thermal imaging systems manufacturer. We are committed to providing users with high-quality products and considerate services. We are equipped with a professional quality inspection system and perfect management system, which can fully control the quality and details of products. At the same time, we will also provide effective solutions according to the diverse needs of users.