Heat Treatment is a typical process used by manufacturers to alter a metal’s physical or
chemical features. By controlling the heating or cooling to accurate values, manufacturers
can ensure their metallurgy’s highest quality and peak results.
Annealing: To prepare metals for further shaping or to increase their strength, metals are
heated to a specific temperature and then cooled at a known rate.
Normalizing: Metal is heated above its upper critical temperature limit and then cooled
back down to room temperature. This process produces a more uniform composition,
resulting in a softer material with increased ductility.
Stress Relieving: Used to reduce the stresses in metal usually caused by cold forming
or non-uniform cooling. The metal is heated below its lower critical temperature and then
cooled uniformly.
Aging: Heating solution heat-treated metals to form metal precipitates, which increases
the strength of the metal while also reducing its ductility. Aging can happen naturally or
be produced artificially.
Quenching: Used for durability and strength, quenching involves rapid cooling of a
metal after it’s been heated. The cooling process requires water, air, or oil.
Each of these processes depends on
accurate temperature control. Even the
slightest deviation from the ideal temperature
range can result in low-quality
material.
Furnace Temperature Sensors
Operators need to control the furnace
temperature, which may reach up to
1200°C, to assure quality. Often the accuracy required is between 5 to 10°C, an accuracy
of ± 0.5% to ± 1.0% of reading. They depend on high-quality temperature sensors
to give them these readings.
However, even the highest quality temperature sensors degrade over time, and because
temperature control is vital, assuring that these sensors remain accurate is essential. To
properly calibrate these sensors, most operators look for a temperature calibrator that’s
4 to 5 times more accurate.
In addition, uninstalling and moving the
sensor to a calibration lab is not ideal, so
they would prefer a portable temperature
calibrator that allows them to perform
on-site calibrations.
Our Solution
At AMETEK STC, we have a solution with our
JOFRA CTC-1205 temperature calibrator.
At only 7.1 kg (15.7 lbs), we designed our CTC-1205 (Compact Temperature Calibrator) for in-field use. Its compact size and
lightweight make it easy to move from a laboratory to the furnace and complete the calibration on-site.
In addition to its ideal size, the CTC-1205 has the accuracy (± 2°C), range (100 to 1205°C ), and stability (± 0.1°C) to calibrate
high-temperature sensors used in the heat treatment processes. It offers a silent mode operation which provides an improved
working climate and features a fast cooling of 45 minutes, saving time and improving workflow.
For detailed specifications, please see the complete datasheet on ametekcalibration.com.
Click here for a pdf copy of the application note