In the last decade, a technology of thermal imagers based on new infrared detectors has been developed for both civil and military applications. These imagers implement miniaturized infrared detectors arranged in a matrix in the optical focal plane of the imager. FPA's technology links the detector matrix to specific electronics that allow detection and addressing at each pixel. This technology has allowed a rapid improvement in the performance of thermal imagers. Nevertheless, its use in thermographic measurement requires some metrological care. The first problem is the uniformity of the pixel response and the stability of this uniformity over time. The second problem is the compensation of the thermal drift. In this paper we present some practical solutions developed by CEDIP infrared systems to perform non-uniformity and thermal drift corrections. Performance and limitations are discussed.

SATIR is a new test-bed installed at Tore Supra to perform non destructive examination of actively cooled plasma facing components. Hot and cold water flow successively in the cooling tube of the component and the surface temperature is recorded with an infrared camera. Defects are detected by a slower temperature response above unbrazed areas. The connection between temperature differences and defect sizes is the main difficulty. It is established by tests of standard defects and thermal transient calculations of defective geometries. SATIR has been in use for two years and has proved to be very valuable to test industrial components as well as prototypes.

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