ASTM E696-23

Standard Specification for Tungsten-Rhenium Alloy Thermocouple Wire

ABSTRACT
This specification covers the requirements for bare solid conductors made of tungsten and rhenium alloy thermoelements supplied in matched pairs. These thermoelements shall be suitable for use in either bead-insulated, bare-wire thermocouples, or in compacted metal-sheathed, ceramic insulated thermocouple material or assemblies. Unless otherwise noted, all information in this specification applies to both thermocouple combinations of tungsten-3 % rhenium versus tungsten-25 % rhenium (W3Re/W25Re) and tungsten-5 % rhenium versus tungsten-26 % rhenium (W5Re/W26Re; Type C). Thermoelements should meet specified physical, mechanical, thermoelectric, and compositional requirements.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers the requirements for bare, solid conductor, tungsten and rhenium alloy thermoelements having diameters of 0.127 mm (0.005 in.) to 0.508 mm (0.020 in.) supplied in matched pairs. These thermoelements shall be suitable for use either in bead-insulated, bare-wire thermocouples, or in compacted metal-sheathed, ceramic insulated thermocouple material or assemblies.  
1.2 This specification covers the thermocouple combinations of tungsten-3 % rhenium versus tungsten-25 % rhenium (W3Re/W25Re) and tungsten-5 % rhenium versus tungsten-26 % rhenium (W5Re/W26Re; Type C). All information applies to both combinations unless otherwise noted.  
1.3 It is recognized that the alloys described are refractory and are not suitable for use at high temperatures in oxidizing atmospheres. All tests and processes described herein must be performed under conditions that are non-reactive to tungsten-rhenium alloys.  
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.  
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Jun-2023
• ICS: 17.200.20 - Temperature-measuring instruments
• Technical Committee: E20 - Temperature Measurement
• Drafting Committee: E20.13 - Thermocouples - Materials and Accessories Specifications

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: E696 − 23 An American National Standard
Standard Specification for
1
Tungsten-Rhenium Alloy Thermocouple Wire
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E696; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope E207 Test Method for Thermal EMF Test of Single Thermo-
element Materials by Comparison With Reference Ther-
1.1 This specification covers the requirements for bare,
moelement of Similar EMF-Temperature Properties
solid conductor, tungsten and rhenium alloy thermoelements
E220 Test Method for Calibration of Thermocouples By
having diameters of 0.127 mm (0.005 in.) to 0.508 mm
Comparison Techniques
(0.020 in.) supplied in matched pairs. These thermoelements
E230/E230M Specification for Temperature-Electromotive
shall be suitable for use either in bead-insulated, bare-wire
Force (emf) Tables for Standardized Thermocouples
thermocouples, or in compacted metal-sheathed, ceramic insu-
E344 Terminology Relating to Thermometry and Hydrom-
lated thermocouple material or assemblies.
etry
1.2 This specification covers the thermocouple combina-
E452 Test Method for Calibration of Refractory Metal Ther-
tions of tungsten-3 % rhenium versus tungsten-25 % rhenium
mocouples Using a Radiation Thermometer
(W3Re/W25Re) and tungsten-5 % rhenium versus tungsten-
E988 Temperature-Electromotive Force (EMF) Tables for
26 % rhenium (W5Re/W26Re; Type C). All information ap- 3
Tungsten-Rhenium Thermocouples (Withdrawn 2011)
plies to both combinations unless otherwise noted.
E1751/E1751M Guide for Temperature Electromotive Force
1.3 It is recognized that the alloys described are refractory (emf) Tables for Non-Letter Designated Thermocouple
Combinations
and are not suitable for use at high temperatures in oxidizing
atmospheres. All tests and processes described herein must be
3. Terminology
performed under conditions that are non-reactive to tungsten-
rhenium alloys.
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 For definitions used in this standard, see Terminology
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
E344.
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
only.
3.2.1 dope, vt—in this specification, to add potassium,
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
silicon and aluminum compounds or other volatile substances
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
to the alloy powders during the preparation to produce a ductile
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
4
wire. See NASA CR-72884.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
3.2.1.1 Discussion—Some alloy powders are doped.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
3.2.2 lot, n—a quantity of wire processed or heat treated as
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
a single continuous length and identified uniquely.
2. Referenced Documents
4. Ordering Information
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
4.1 A purchase order for thermocouple material conforming
E8/E8M Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Ma-
to this specification shall specify the following:
terials
4.1.1 Thermocouple Wire Composition—May be W3Re/
W25Re or W5Re/W26Re.
4.1.2 Wire Size—Specify size with each order.
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E20 on
4.1.3 Wire Length—Specify total amount of each wire and
Temperature Measurement and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E20.13
minimum continuous length.
on Thermocouples - Materials and Accessories Specifications.
Current edition approved July 1, 2023. Published July 2023. Originally approved
in 1979. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as E696 – 07 (2018). DOI:
3
10.1520/E0696-23. The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or www.astm.org.
4
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM NASA CR-72884, “Some Studies on Behavior of W-Re Thermocouple Mate-
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on rials at High Temperatures.” Available from National Aeronautics and Space
the ASTM website. Administration, 400 Maryland Ave. S.W., Washington, DC 20546.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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E696 − 23
4.1.4 Thermocoup
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: E696 − 07 (Reapproved 2018) E696 − 23 An American National Standard
Standard Specification for
1
Tungsten-Rhenium Alloy Thermocouple Wire
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E696; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This specification covers the requirements for bare, solid conductor, tungsten and rhenium alloy thermoelements having
diameters of 0.127 mm (0.005 in.) to 0.508 mm (0.020 in.) 0.127 mm (0.005 in.) to 0.508 mm (0.020 in.) supplied in matched pairs.
These thermoelements shall be suitable for use either in bead-insulated, bare-wire thermocouples, or in compacted metal-sheathed,
ceramic insulated thermocouple material or assemblies.
1.2 This specification covers the thermocouple combinations of tungsten-3 % rhenium versus tungsten-25 % rhenium (W3Re/
W25Re) and tungsten-5 % rhenium versus tungsten-26 % rhenium (W5Re/W26Re; Type C). All information applies to both
combinations unless otherwise noted.
1.3 It is recognized that the alloys described are refractory and are not suitable for use at high temperatures in oxidizing
atmospheres. All tests and processes described herein must be performed under conditions that are non-reactive to tungsten-
rhenium alloys.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E8E8/E8M Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Materials [Metric] E0008_E0008M
E207 Test Method for Thermal EMF Test of Single Thermoelement Materials by Comparison With Reference Thermoelement
of Similar EMF-Temperature Properties
E220 Test Method for Calibration of Thermocouples By Comparison Techniques
E230E230/E230M Specification for Temperature-Electromotive Force (emf) Tables for Standardized Thermocouples
E344 Terminology Relating to Thermometry and Hydrometry
E452 Test Method for Calibration of Refractory Metal Thermocouples Using a Radiation Thermometer
3
E988 Temperature-Electromotive Force (EMF) Tables for Tungsten-Rhenium Thermocouples (Withdrawn 2011)
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E20 on Temperature Measurement and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E20.13 on
Thermocouples - Materials and Accessories Specifications.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2018July 1, 2023. Published November 2018July 2023. Originally approved in 1979. Last previous edition approved in 20132018 as
E696 – 07 (2013).(2018). DOI: 10.1520/E0696-07R18.10.1520/E0696-23.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E696 − 23
E1751E1751/E1751M Guide for Temperature Electromotive Force (emf) Tables for Non-Letter Designated Thermocouple
Combinations
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 For definitions used in this standard, see Terminology E344.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 dope, vt—in this specification, to add potassium, silicon and aluminum compounds or other volatile substances to the alloy
4
powders during the preparation to produce a ductile wire. See NASA CR-72884.
3.2.1.1 Discussion—
Some alloy powders are doped.
3.2.2 lot, n—a quantity of wire processed or heat treated as a single continuous length and identified uniquely.
4. Ordering Information
4.1 A purchase order for thermocouple material conforming to this specification shall specify the following:
4.1.1 Thermocouple Wire Composition—May be W3Re/W25Re or W5Re/W26Re.
4.1.2 Wire Size—Specify size with each order.
4.1.3 Wire Length—Specify total amount of ea
...