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Precision temperature measurement technology for heat treating

Heat Treating Solutions

BASF's thermocouple technology provides increased temperature strength and longer service life, while retaining the chemical and thermo-electric properties of pure thermocouple grade platinum—a shining result of our precious-metals expertise.

In addition, the thermal combinations produced and developed by BASF allow for ultra-high temperature measurements that far exceed those of conventional thermocouples.

BASF Catalysts | Heat Treating

Heat treating solutions: Increasing temperature range, resolution, and measurement speed

From molten glass temperatures to heat-treating furnaces, BASF has supplied Enclad® thermocouples for various applications by creating new designs that emphasize precision and focus. With our technical capabilities and experience, BASF provides the expertise to meet your application needs. The result? Significant increases in temperature range, resolution, and measurement speed, for starters.

We combine a wide measurement range with high resolution to build instruments that are precisely tuned for measurement—one of the many reasons why BASF is among the industry leaders in heat treating solutions.

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.

Tungsten-Rhenium thermocouple: User consistent quality at competitive pricing

Tungsten-Rhenium thermocouple assemblies produced and developed by BASF permit ultra-high temperature measurements far in excess of conventional ISA standard letter designated thermocouples. Traditional base metal thermocouple technology can be used to measure temperatures to approximately 1200°C. For higher temperature requirements the noble metal designs are reliable to 1800°C. For ultra-high temperature requirements, BASF offers the Tungsten-Rhenium assemblies for requirements to 2800°C.

Our many years’ experience in high temperature technology has helped BASF to become a leading producer of Tungsten-Rhenium thermocouple assemblies. From annealing applications, to sintering, to heat treating applications, BASF provides the user consistent quality at competitive pricing. Proven products and proven performance are the result of the dedicated, professional people that produce and service your products.

Combined with our engineering and technical expertise, BASF will help provide solutions to your ultra-high temperature applications.

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-produced 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

Looking for product specifications? Check out our product datasheets and industry brochures below.

Brochure

Enclad® Thermocouple Products Brochure
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Brochure

Tungsten Rhenium Thermocouples Brochure
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