JLC produces a wide range of alloys that are used to manufacture thermocouples, extension and compensating wires/cables. Thermocouples are formed by joining two dissimilar alloys that will produce a thermal EMF when the junctions are at different temperatures. Different grades of thermocouple alloys are used depending upon the temperature being measured.
Thermocouples are connected to the temperature indicating instruments by using the leads made of same material. These leads which have the same EMF output as the thermocouple are called Extension Leads. Use of extension leads avoids lead junction error. However, for economic reasons, cheaper alloys having similar EMF output over a limited temperature range (generally 200 °C) are often used. These leads are called Compensating Leads.
JLC offers a full range of materials for Extension/Compensating leads. The different grades of these materials and the EMF tolerance for these grades over a required temperature range are shown in this data sheet.
Forms of Supply
Cold Drawn, Annealed.
Oxidized wire surface is also available for applications where corrosive atmosphere is present.
Specifications
JLC range of thermocouple alloys meets the specification of ASTM E 230 and ANSI MC 96.1.
JLC can also manufacture thermocouple alloys to conform to any of the following specifications: IS, IEC, DIN, BS, NF, UNI, ENI, JIS, ENEL, or GOST.
Special tolerances and properties can be made available upon customer request.
| Thermocouple | Extension or Compensation Alloy |
Composition | American Specification (ANSI MC 96.1) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EMF | At Temp | Tolerance | ||||
| mV | °C | Standard | Special | |||
| K | KPX-KNX (KX) |
KPX (NiCr) | 4.095 | 100.0 | ± 2.2°C 0°-200°C |
- |
| KNX (NiAl) | 8.137 | 200.0 | ||||
| K | Cu-CuNi44 KCB (VX)* |
Cu | 4.095 | 100.0 | ± 2.2°C 0°-100°C |
- |
| CuNi44 | - | - | ||||
| K | Fe-CuNi43 (W) KCA* |
Fe | 4.095 | 100.0 | ± 2.5°C 0°-150°C |
- |
| CuNi43Mn2 | 8.137 | 200.0 | ||||
| E | EPX-ENX (EX) |
EPX (NiCr) | 6.317 | 100.0 | ± 1.7°C 0°-200°C |
- |
| ENX (CuNi44) | 13.419 | 200.0 | ||||
| T | TPX-TNX (TX) |
TPX (Cu) | - | - | ± 1°C 0°-100°C |
± 0.5°C 0°-100°C |
| TNX (CuNi44) | 4.277 | 100.0 | ||||
| J | JPX-JNX (JX) |
JPX (Fe) | 5.268 | 100.0 | ± 2.2°C 0°-200°C |
± 1°C 0°-100°C |
| JNX (CuNi44) | 10.777 | 200.0 | ||||
| S / R | Cu-CuNi3 (SX) (RX) |
Cu | 0.645 | 100.0 | ± 0.057 mV From 0°-200°C |
- |
| CuNi3 | 1.440 | 200.0 | ||||
| N | NPX / NNX (NX) |
NPX (NiCr) | 2.774 | 100.0 | ± 2.2°C 0°-200°C |
- |
| NNX (NiSi) | 5.912 | 200.0 | ||||
*Type VX, KCA, KCB are not included in ANSI
Standard & Special grades
The EMF tolerance of standard grade of alloys is according to the table presented on the previous page. JLC's special grades offer closer tolerances (½ and ¼ of standard grades) for applications where higher accuracy is needed.
| Alloy | Density | Electrical Resistivity at 20°C |
Temp Coeff of Resistance | Thermal Linear Expansion Coeff. b/w 20-95°C |
Thermal Conductivity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| x10-6/°C | ||||||
| g/cm³ | µΩ-cm | Value | Temp range | 10-6/K | W/m K | |
| KPX | 8.72 | 70.6 | 300 | 20-100 °C | 17.0 | 19.2 |
| KNX | 8.60 | 29.2 | 1900 | 20-100 °C | 17.0 | 29.7 |
| Cu Ni44 | 8.90 | 49.0 | 60 | 20-100 °C | 14.0 | 21.4 |
| Cu Ni43 | 8.90 | 52.0 | 100 | 20-100 °C | 15.0 | 21.0 |
| SX / RX | 8.91 | 12.0 | 1500 | 20-100 °C | 16.0 | - |
| Fe | 7.86 | 13-14 | 5000 | 20-100 °C | 11.7 | 66.2 |
| NPX | 8.53 | 100.0 | 90 | 20-100 °C | 17.0 | 13.0 |
| NNX | 8.58 | 36.5 | 680 | 20-100 °C | 17.0 | 27.0 |
Calibration
JLC thermocouple grades are calibrated over the temperature range according to international specifications. All JLC grades are individually calibrated versus NBS Pt 67. Each coil/spool is tested for EMF and value of deviation from the standard EMF at different temperatures is shown on the labels attached to each coil/spool. All JLC thermocouple materials are made confirming to EMF/temperature requirements for thermocouples as per NBS monograph 125. Alternatively, calibration is also performed as per ASTM E220 comparison technique.
Size Range
JLC thermocouple materials are available in different sizes (mm/AWG/SWG) or resistance based upon customer's requirement.
| Form | Dia (mm) | AWG |
|---|---|---|
| Wire | 0.142-8.255 | 0-35 |
Strips and ribbons are also available in various sizes upon request.
Final Inspection & Testing
Each spool/coil of JLC thermocouple, extension and compensating alloy is calibrated according to specifications given above. JLC thermocouple alloys are fully tested for homogeneity of chemical composition, physical, and thermoelectric properties. This includes the testing of electrical resistivity (loop resistance), which is an important property of thermocouple alloys.
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