- Author
- Caldwell, F. R.
- Title
- Thermocouple Materials.
- Coporate
- National Bureau of Standards, Washington, DC
- Report
- NBS Monograph 040, March 1, 1962, 47 p.
- Distribution
- Available from Government Printing Office
- Keywords
- thermocouples | wires | thermoelectric generators | thermal conductivity | bismuth
- Abstract
- Thermocouple materials are considered that are used primarily as immersion temperature sensors in the range from 0 deg C up. Included are the conventional thermocouples that have survived since the beginnings of the art of thermoelectric temperature measurement, newer noble metal thermocouples, and thermocouples of refractory metals for use in the extreme range for immersed sensors. Thermocouples for thermoelectric generators are not considered, nor are the types commonly used chiefly in radiation receivers such as those containing antimony, bismuth, and their alloys. Because of the wide use and increasing popularity of ceramic-packed thermocouples in metal sheaths, they are included. Limitations of the thermocouple wires are given as to range, stability, environment including atmosphere, magnitude of thermoelectric emf, and accuracy of commercially available materials of standard and extra quality. In addition, properties of the separate elements that are pertinent to the selection or use of thermocouples have been compiled. Among these are: chemical behavior, mechanical properties, specific heat, density, thermal conductivity, thermal coefficient of expansion, emissivity, electrical resistivity, and magnetic and catalytic properties. In the case of the ceramic-packed thermocouples the following properties are presented: temperature range of the sheath, mechanical properties of the sheath, kinds of packed insulation, resistance between themocouple wires and between wires and sheath, minimum bending radius of the packed stock, gas-tightness of the packed insulation, and types of measuring junctions available, i.e., grounded, ungrounded, bare, totally enclosed, stagnation mounting, etc. Not all of the above information is presented for all thermocouples, but all that is readily available in the general literature, catalogs, and by private communication is included. Limitations on use of thermocouples normally are given in the text, and properties of the materials generally are presented in tables.