ASTM E633-00
(Guide)Standard Guide for Use of Thermocouples in Creep and Stress-Rupture Testing to 1800°F (1000°C) in Air
Standard Guide for Use of Thermocouples in Creep and Stress-Rupture Testing to 1800°F (1000°C) in Air
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers the use of ANSI/ISA thermocouple Types K, N, R, and S for creep and stress-rupture testing at temperatures up to 1800°F (1000°C) in air at one atmosphere of pressure. It does not cover the use of sheathed thermocouples.
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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Designation:E633–00
Standard Guide for
Use of Thermocouples in Creep and Stress-Rupture Testing
to 1800°F (1000°C) in Air
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E633; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
This guide provides basic information, options, and guidelines to enable the user to apply
thermocouples, temperature measurement, and control equipment with sufficient accuracy to satisfy
the temperature requirements for creep and stress-rupture testing of materials.
1. Scope Tension Tests of Materials
E344 Terminology Relating to Thermometry and Hydrom-
1.1 This guide covers the use ofANSI thermocouple Types
etry
K, N, R, and S for creep and stress-rupture testing at tempera-
E574 Specification for Duplex Base Metal Thermocouple
tures up to 1800°F (1000°C) in air at one atmosphere of
Wire with Glass Fiber or Silica Fiber Insulation
pressure. It does not cover the use of sheathed thermocouples.
E1129/E1129M Specification for Thermocouple Connec-
1.2 Thevaluesstatedininch-poundunitsaretoberegarded
tors
as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for
E1684 Specification for Miniature Thermocouple Connec-
information only.
tors
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3. Terminology
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.1 Definitions—Unless otherwise indicated, the definitions
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
given in Terminology E344 shall apply.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4. Classification
2. Referenced Documents
4.1 The following thermocouple types are identified in
2.1 ASTM Standards:
Tables E230:
E139 Practice for Conducting Creep, Creep-Rupture, and
2 4.1.1 Type K—Nickel—10 % chromium ( + ) versus
Stress-Rupture Tests of Metallic Materials
nickel—5% (aluminum, silicon) (−),
E207 Method of Thermal EMF Test of Single Thermoele-
4.1.2 Type N—Nickel—14% chromium, 1.5% silicon (+)
ment Materials by Comparison with a Secondary Standard
versus nickel—4.5% silicon—0.1% magnesium (−),
of Similar EMF-Temperature Properties
4.1.3 Type R—Platinum—13% rhodium (+) versus plati-
E220 Test Method for Calibration of Thermocouples by
num (−),
Comparison Techniques
4.1.4 Type S—Platinum—10% rhodium (+) versus plati-
E230 Specification and Temperature-Electromotive Force
3 num (−).
(EMF) Tables for Standardized Thermocouples
E292 Practice for Conducting Time-For-Rupture Notch
5. Summary of Guide
5.1 This guide will help the user to conduct a creep or
1 stress-rupture test with the highest degree of temperature
This guide is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee E20 on Temperature
precision available. It provides information on the proper
Measurement and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E20.04 on Thermo-
couples.
application of thermocouples that are used to measure and
Current edition approved May 10, 2000. Published August 2000. Originally
control the temperature of the test specimen. It also points out
published as E633–87. Last previous edition E633–95.
sources of error and suggests methods to eliminate them.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.01.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.03.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
E633
6. Significance and Use environment, handling, or wear. Therefore, a periodic recali-
bration of the measuring instrumentation with a checking
6.1 This guide presents techniques on the use of thermo-
instrument is necessary. The checking instrument should be of
couples and associated equipment for measuring temperature
higher accuracy than the measurement system, and to ensure
in creep and stress-rupture testing in air at temperatures up to
conformity to national standards, it should be calibrated with a
1800°F (1000°C).
knownprimaryteststandard,traceabletotheNationalInstitute
6.2 Since creep and stress-rupture properties are highly
of Standards and Technology.
sensitive to temperature, users should make every effort
7.3 Temperature Control Equipment Requirements—Atem-
practicable to make accurate temperature measurements and
perature controller or temperature control system should be
provide stable control of the test temperature. The goal of this
selectedonthebasisofstability(variationsof 61°F(0.5°C)or
guide is to provide users with good pyrometric practice and
less), and accuracy (uncertainty of 61.5°F (0.7°C) or less).
techniques for precise temperature control for creep and
Generally, a control system with proportional band, automatic
stress-rupture testing.
reset, and slow approach to final set point features should be
6.3 Techniques are given in this guide for maintaining a
used. When employing an automatic feedback control system,
stable temperature throughout the period of test.
the tuning constants or control algorithm shall be optimized,
6.4 If the techniques of this guide are followed, the differ-
4 5
not only to maintain the test specimen at the set point without
ence between “indicated” temperature and “true” tempera-
excessive deviations, but to eliminate or limit the amount of
ture will be reduced to the lowest practical level.
overshoot upon initial heating.
7. Apparatus
NOTE 1—The same precautions regarding reference junction compen-
7.1 Instrumentation may be individual instruments, a data
sation in the control device apply as in 7.2.1.
acquisition system (multipoint recorders or digital type), a
7.3.1 Configuration—The control configuration may take
computer-based control system, or a combination of these
one of several forms:
devices. (Warning—Since each thermocouple is “grounded”
7.3.1.1 The center thermocouple is connected to a control
by contacting the specimen, it is necessary that the instrumen-
loopthatstrivestomaintainthetemperatureofthecenterofthe
tationtreateachthermocoupleasisolatedor“floating”fromall
reduced section at set point. The upper and lower thermo-
other thermocouples. Neither leg should be connected to a
couplesareusedtomeasurethetemperaturesattheendsofthe
commongroundattheinstrumentationendofthesystem.Also,
reduced section. Means shall be provided to adjust the heating
equipment having a high common mode rejection ratio is
poweraboveandbelowthecentertoequalizethetemperatures.
necessary because of the proximity of strong electromagnetic
7.3.1.2 The bottom and top thermocouples may be con-
fields from the heating elements of the furnace.)
nectedtocontrolloopsthatregulatethepowertotheupperand
7.2 Temperature Measurement Instrumentation—The mea-
lower heaters independently. Thus, the end temperatures are
surement system should be able to resolve the thermocouple
maintained automatically. The center thermocouple is used
signal to 60.1°F (0.05°C). The temperature indication should
only as a monitor.
havenomorethan 61.0°F(0.5°C)uncertaintyforthepurposes
7.3.2 Control System Recalibration and Reliability—The
of this test. In addition, where specific corrections for the
calibration of individual thermocouples or a thermocouple lot control system should be subjected to routine recalibration, as
circumstances and type of equipment dictate. The checking
is required, the capability of the instrumentation system to
accommodate these data shall be considered. procedure should include calibration of the controller and a
7.2.1 Reference Junction Compensation: sensitivity check. A calibration circuit, as shown in Appendix
X1, should be employed.
7.2.1.1 Thermocouples are usually calibrated to a 32°F
(0°C) reference temperature. Unless an ice point reference is
7.4 Heating Equipment—Furnaces should be appropriately
used, some means must be provided to compensate for the
sized or adjusted relative to the workload and heat losses to
temperature where the thermoelectric circuit connects to the
provide a zone of uniform temperature across the specimen.
instrument (refer to MNL-12 on Reference Junctions ).
Because creep and stress-rupture testing is usually done at
7.2.1.2 Reference junction compensation is usually per-
constanttemperatureandwithanunchangingfurnaceload,the
formed within the instrumentation itself. Most devices or
main requirement is a well-insulated furnace, capable of
electronic data acquisition systems measure the temperature
achieving the desired temperatures. The top and bottom open-
where the thermoelements connect to the input terminals and
ings should be closed to limit convection losses, but the
introduce a compensating emf to simulate the ice point.
furnace should not be sealed airtight.
7.2.1.3 The input connections shall be isothermal and
shielded from sudden changes of temperature.
8. Hazards
7.2.2 Recalibration—The accuracy of the temperature mea-
8.1 The duration of a creep test ranges from a few hours to
surement equipment may be affected by component aging,
several hundred hours at elevated temperatures, at least par-
tially unattended by operators. Such tests are normally ended
beforetestspecimenfailure.Stress-rupturetestsmayoperateat
As defined in Practices E139 and E292.
higher stresses, higher temperatures, and for shorter times than
As defined in Practice E139.
creep tests, but they normally continue until the specimen has
Manual on the Use of Thermocouples in Temperature Measurement, ASTM
MNL-12. achieved its required life or has failed.
E633
8.2 The stability of the emf of the thermocouples and the high emf and are relatively stable over the low and middle
rapid response of the control system to any changes of temperatures of the testing range.
temperature over the period of the test are crucial to maintain 9.3.2 Limitations—Conventional Type K, and to a lesser
the specimen within the allowable temperature band. extent,TypeNthermocouplesundergoemfdriftastheresultof
8.3 Thermocouple Requirements—The requirements for metallurgical changes during use. Therefore, that portion of
thermocouples used for measurement are somewhat different wire that has been exposed to temperatures above 500°F
from thermocouples used for control purposes (especially with (260°C) or 1600°F (870°C) forTypes K and N thermocouples,
automatic feedback control systems). Of course, both require- respectively, should be discarded after one use.
ments may be met with one set of thermocouples that is
judiciously chosen and placed.
TABLE 1 Thermocouple and Extension Wire Tolerances and
8.3.1 Measurement—Thermocouples used for measurement
Calibration Uncertainties
are designed to represent the temperature of the specimen
Thermocouples, °F
along its reduced section. Since only two or three thermo-
Typical
Temperature
Type Tolerance Calibration
couples are used, they shall be located at places on the
Range
A
Uncertainty
specimen that represent the average temperature of their
B
Standard Special
respective sections. This can be determined by a test program,
K, N 32 to 2000 4 or 0.75 % 2 or 0.4 % 1.8 to 2.2
S, R 32 to 2000 2.7 or 0.25 % 1 or 0.1 % 1.1 to 1.2
where more than the usual number of thermocouples are
mountedalongthereducedsectiontoestablishthetemperature
C
Extension Wire, °F
D
profile. KX, NX 32 to 400 4 0.5to2
D
RX, SX 32 to 400 9 2to4
8.3.2 Control—Thermocouples used for control are de-
Thermocouples, °C
signed and placed to be sensitive to changes of or impending
Typical
Temperature
changes to the temperature of the specimen. Control thermo- Type Tolerance Calibration
Range
A
Uncertainty
couple wire should be as thin as possible. However, the wire
B
Standard Special
should not be so thin that oxidation or strain would cause emf
K, N 0 to 1100 2.2 or 0.75 % 1.1 or 0.4 % 1 to 1.2
R, S 0 to 1100 1.5 or 0.25 % 0.6 or 0.1 % 0.6 to 0.7
errors or failure during the test period.
C
NOTE 2—Locatingacontrolthermocouplenexttotheheaterasameans
Extension Wire, °C
D
KX, NX 0 to + 200 2 0.3to1
to limit fluctuations of temperature is not advisable. A controller with a
D
RX, SX 0 to + 200 5 1to2
wideproportionalbandandautomaticresetiscapableofcompensatingfor
A
the thermal lag of most furnace designs. Calibration uncertainty in an actual test depends on number of test points,
media, and reference standard used during the calibration (see Test Method
E 220).
9. Thermocouples
B
Tolerances and uncertainties are plus or minus the indicated values expressed
9.1 Basic Information—Information on basic thermocouple in degrees Fahrenheit or degrees Celsius or as a percentage of the value of the
measured temperature, whichever is greater (see Tables 1, 2, and 3 in Specifica-
characteristics and performance is available from ASTM pub-
tion E 230).
licationssuchasMNL-12. Stabilityoftheemfovertheperiod C
Worst case, where the temperature of the transition point differs from the
of test is the most crucial requirement for a control thermo- instrument’s reference junction by 360°F (200°C).
D
No special tolerance limits have been established, but materials with toler-
couple, whereas accuracy of the measurement thermocouple is
ances closer than the standard limits may be available.
paramount for successful correlation of test results.
9.1.1 Factors affecting thermocouple selection are: atmo-
sphere, temperature of exposure, duration of testing, and 9.3.3 Assessment—Type K or N thermocouples should be
responsetime.Thesefactorsshouldbeconsideredtodetermine reused only after their suitability for a particular test program
type (K, N, R, or S), wire size, insulation, and installation is proven by a body of test data. Stability tests are advised,
methods. using Type R or S thermocouples as references.
9.2 Precautions—The emf output of a thermocouple is 9.4 Types R and S Thermocouples:
affected by inhomogeneities in the region of a temperature 9.4.1 Suitability—Types R and S are highly resistant to
gradient. Inhomogeneities are produced by cold work, con- oxidation and are therefore stable for these tests at the higher
tamination, or metallurgical changes produced by temperature temperatures of the range. They provide the highest reproduc-
itself. Therefore, thermocouples should be handled carefully ibility and repeatability of the several thermocouple types but
without unnecessary stretching, bending, or twisting the wires. areinitiallymorecostly.Becausetheydonotdeteriorateduring
Bending around small radii should be avoided entirely, espe- normal use, it is possible to reuse them. When Types R and S
ciallywherethewiresmaylieinatemperaturegradient.Where wires are no longer suitable
...
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