High temperature thermocouples

High temperature thermocouples, also called exotic thermocouples, are used in applications where base metal thermocouples, such as stainless steel or Inconel, cannot be used because of extreme temperatures or hazardous environments. The exotic thermocouples can be used in vacuum, inert, oxidizing and reducing atmospheres. Typical applications for high temperature thermocouples are e.g. vacuum furnaces, gas furnaces, high temperature ovens and reaction furnaces.

Kamet offers thermocouples specifically designed for hazardous environments. The high temperature thermocouples that can withstand the extreme temperatures in these environments are usually Type R, S, B, C or D thermocouples. Sheath materials that are produced for these high temperature applications are Molybdenum, Tantalum, Tungsten 3% Rhenium, Pt10%Rh and Pt20%Rh.

The high temperature thermocouples produced by ARI industries are insulated with material varying from magnesium oxide, alumina oxide and hafnium oxide. These compounds provide long term stability to the thermocouples. Applications where the thermocouples are being used can vary from gas furnaces and high temperature ovens to vacuum furnaces and reaction furnaces.

How to decide what thermocouple is suitable

There are two important variables for selecting the proper exotic thermocouple for a particular application in hazardous environments.

1. What is the temperature range you need to measure?
2. What is the atmosphere the thermocouple will be exposed to during operation?

Our main supplier ARi Industries

ARi industries is our main supplier for high temperature thermocouples. This US company was among the first to manufacture mineral insulated cables and now also produces high temperature thermocouples. Next to thermocouples, ARi industries supplies us with thermocouple type S, R and B mineral insulated cables, which we keep in stock for the European market. Typically these types of thermocouples contain an Inconel sheath.

• Cost efficient options for oxidizing environments up to 1700°C
• Robust hot junction on Type C & D through patented wire wrap / welding procedure
• Custom material combination and sizes to meet demanding applications
• Special non-destructive testing with ARi standards, traceable to US NIST
• ARi is the industry pioneer due to 60+ years of knowledge and experience

What is a high temperature thermocouple and for which environments can this be used?

High temperature thermocouples are fully or semi assembled sensors for temperature measurements starting around 1000°C and up to 2200°C.
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What is difference between Type S and type R thermocouples? And between Type C and Type D thermocouples

Each thermocouple type has its advantage and can be completely customized to your requirements.
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Besides producing tailor-made high temperature thermocouples, Kamet also collaborates with ARi Industries for special MI cables, such as type S, R and B mineral insulated thermocouple cable. Furthermore, ARi Industries is also Kamet’s supplier of special MI cables with heavy wall and/or thick conductors. Therefore we can help you with a wide range of temperature measurement solutions.