BASF Catalysts offers exceptional expertise in the development of technologies that protect the air we breathe, produce the fuels that power our world and ensure efficient production of a wide variety of chemicals, plastics and other products including advanced battery materials. BASF’s Catalysts division is the world’s leading supplier of environmental and process catalysts. The group offers exceptional expertise in the development of technologies that protect the air we breathe, produce the fuels that power our world and ensure efficient production of a wide variety of chemicals, plastics and other products, including advanced battery materials. We believe mobility’s future lies in more than just products. So where others come to a full stop, we’re just getting started—by leveraging the full power of BASF to continually advance our comprehensive package of sustainable solutions that enable us to travel further, as well as above and beyond. Protecting the air we breathe from harmful emissions through innovation. BASF leverages unsurpassed expertise in the development of emission control technologies for a wide range of market applications. BASF is committed to advancing and promoting environmentally-sound technologies to achieve a sustainable future in aviation. Offering 50 years of experience developing intelligent solutions for air quality over a wide range of applications — enabling clean air for a healthier, more sustainable future. With more than 150 years of experience in metal sourcing, trading, and hedging, we’ve built tangible results for our industrial customers. With more than 100 years of experience in recycling materials, BASF’s end-to-end recycling program is known and trusted around the globe. As a leader in precious-metal thermocouples for many years, BASF recently applied its technological expertise to optical-based temperature measurement. Developing and producing pharmaceutical ingredients for more than 75 years, enabling us to provide the solutions you need to meet today's and tomorrow's challenges for your pharmaceutical business. Find the latest news and media information for BASF’s Catalysts division, headquartered in Iselin, New Jersey, USA, the world’s leading supplier of environmental and process catalysts. Explore this collection of resources to learn more about our innovative research and Catalyst solutions.

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Crystal Growth Solutions

BASF helps customers master crystal growth—and therefore consistently produce quality crystals—by giving them the tools they need for precise temperature measurement.

BASF Enclad® thermocouples are crucial toward fabricating the highest level of crystals. In addition, the quality of our Fibro® Platinum wire keeps costs down and lifespans high—up to 80 percent higher than conventional thermocouples.

Synthesizing crystal shapes to meet customer needs

The ability to synthesize particular crystal shapes is a vital step in crystal growth solutions. But at BASF, we also strive to stay ahead of the game, by keeping up with the latest crystal growth technologies and recognizing where they overlap with other industries.

Enclad® thermocouples are necessary for a variety of applications, including crystal growth. We include metallurgists, metrologists, and process-application engineers among our team of experts. With this wide array of technical knowledge, BASF is ready to meet your crystal growth needs.

BASF Catalysts | Crystal Growth

EXACTUS® Optical Pyrometer: A complete temperature measurement system

A leader in precious-metal thermocouples for many years, BASF more recently applied its technological expertise to optical-based temperature measurement. Designed primarily for OEM wafer-temperature measurement applications, the EXACTUS® optical pyrometers provide significant performance advantages in non-contact temperature measurement. Numerous pending patents cover these breakthroughs which result in industry-leading performance for accuracy, repeatability, and stability. Our performance advantage allows us to successfully measure processes in many applications which had been impossible.

EXACTUS® offers:

  • Low-temperature measurements (25°C and higher) using short wavelengths
  • Measurement of single crystal silicon down to 200°C using 900nm IR radiation
  • High precision with resolution up to 0.001°C and accuracy of 1.5°C
  • Speeds up to 1,000 readings per second
  • Broad dynamic range at any given wavelength

EXACTUS® instruments offer a complete temperature measurement system in each sensor head. State-of-the-art technology allows for custom-tailored integration to specific customer applications. In addition, the entire product line features a user-friendly design. Features that facilitate use include:

  • Readily configurable sensor housing
  • Flexible design
  • Customizable hardware, software, optics and probes
  • RS232, RS485/422, and Analog output from sensors
  • Sophisticated Windows-based graphical interface

Enclad®: Precision for a variety of diverse and demanding applications

BASF Enclad® products are a precise and rigorously controlled combination of select precious and base metal sheaths, high-purity ceramic insulations and compatible precious metal thermocouple wires consolidated into a rugged assembly which is bendable into difficult to reach places. Enclad® products include cable, standard thermocouples and composite-sheath thermocouples.

Enclad® thermocouples have been extensively used in the following select applications in which high temperature resistance or chemical inertness of the sheath material is required:

Crystal growth

Gas turbine combustor discharge

Liquid phase epitaxy

Biomedical research

Ion implant

Glass melting and working

Ceramic sintering

Refractory erosion monitoring

Nuclear research

Soaking pit control

Heat-treating furnaces

Energy conversion

Plasma physics research

Product specifications:

Specifying sheath materials - The choice of the outer sheath material must be made after considering its compatibility with the environment, its operating temperature and its structural loading. In general, the following temperatures have been found suitable for Enclad® sheath materials:

  • Pt— 1200°C
  • ODS Pt— 1600°C
  • Pt-10Rh— 1500°C
  • Pt-20Rh— 1650°C
  • Inconel 600— 800°C

Specifying thermocouple materials:

Type S and R thermocouple material are the most popular in the platinum-rhodium system. They are noted for excellent stability up to their recommended maximum-use temperature of 1400°C.

Type B thermocouples have proved effective for applications up to 1750°C, with excellent stability and sensitivity.

BASF Catalysts | Exactus

Optical pyrometer: Accuracy, resolution, repeatability, and stability

Offering excellent accuracy, resolution, repeatability, and stability, EXACTUS® optical pyrometer technology provides significant performance advantages in non-contact temperature measurement in a practical, rugged and user-friendly design.

EXACTUS® delivers a broad measurement range and faster measurement speeds while maintaining sensitivity. Each compact sensor is a complete temperature measurement system, versatile enough to be incorporated into demanding process locations. With these advantages, EXACTUS® can help lower operating costs, improve yields, and increase efficiency.

Thermocouple Recycling Services

Precious metal thermocouples always have value—even when they are no longer usable. The metal content of thermocouples can be recycled into new replacements or monetary credit can be given for the user with book credit for use at a later date. All reclamations are made on a weight basis. For the most accurate and beneficial credit, spent thermocouples should be returned intact for disassembly at the plant so that proper material and alloy separation can be performed.

Thermocouple recycling makes BASF a full range service supplier. Contact us for specific details on how to return spent thermocouples.

Thermocouple Wire

BASF has supplied science and industry with thermocouple wire for many years. We maintain an expert team of metallurgists, metrologists and process application engineers. All BASF thermocouple wire conforms to the latest version of international standards. For all combinations, the EMF-temperature relationships are in accord with the applicable IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) standards, which incorporate all major national institutions.

Our thermocouple wires are based on precious metals, long recognized as the most reliable sensing elements for high-temperature measurement.

Our major wire thermocouple combinations include:

Type S: Pt vs. Pt 10 Rh

One of the most popular and widely used precious metal thermocouple combinations is known for its high accuracy over a broad temperature range. The combination has excellent mechanical and chemical properties, low electrical resistivity, and is readily obtainable in uniform quality and in very fine diameters.

Type R: Pt vs. Pt 13 R

This widely used combination is almost identical to Type S except for a slightly higher thermoelectric output, which accommodates instruments that have been calibrated for this output.

Type B: Pt 6 Rh vs. Pt 30 Rh

This widely used thermocouple is very similar to other Pt and Rh combinations. It performs well at the higher application temperatures where other combinations may be subject to accelerated drift or physical degradation. It is unique in that, at reference junction temperatures below 100° C, compensating lead wire is generally not necessary: plain copper conductors are adequate.

Pt 20 Rh vs. Pt 40 Rh

An extremely stable combination for very high temperature use in problematical environments. Its low sensitivity (4 microvolts per °C) requires the use of direct EMF reading instruments. An excellent researcher's tool for high temperature measurement.

Platinel®

A development by BASF Catalysts that brings together the high electrical output of the high base alloys with the oxidation resistance and stability of the precious metals. Often used as a direct replacement for Type K in process control applications where long life, stability, and continuous trouble-free performance is required.

Type C

W3Re vs. W25Re and W5Re vs. W26Re - These refractory metal combinations provide the ability to measure and control temperatures up to 2800° C, limited only by the availability of suitable insulation. The W3Re/W25Re combination developed by BASF Catalysts introduced the concept of doping the low rhenium allow leg in order to improve ductility and handling. Today's improved version of the W5Re/W26Re combination is also doped for similar benefits.

Resources available for download

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