DESIGN APPLICATIONS

T5 TREND WATCH: MATERIALS & ASSEMBLY / A SUPPLEMENT TO DESIGN NEWS AUGUST 2013 [www.designnews.com]

Materials & asseMbly

Platinum Temperature

Sensor Technology

This article explores the inherent properties of platinum

temperature sensors, the types of platinum RTD elements

available, and typical applications.

BY BOB GLINIECKI, HERAEUS SENSOR TECHNOLOGY USA

Cars, trucks, appliances, climate control systems,

industrial processes, and life science instruments all

have in common the need for temperature measure-

ment. Platinum resistance temperature detector

(RTD) elements are specifically designed for the

precise temperature measurements required by these,

and dozens of other applications. This article explores

the inherent properties of platinum temperature sen-

sors, the types of platinum RTD elements available,

and typical applications.

Platinum as a Temperature Sensor

A platinum RTD element is a thermal resistor — a

resistor with a value that changes by a predictable

amount in response to temperature changes. Plati-

num RTD elements have a positive temperature

coefficient (PTC), meaning the resistance increases

with increasing temperature. A virtually linear change

in resistance, coupled with intrinsic chemical and

temperature resistance, makes platinum an ideal

base material for temperature sensing. Used in tem-

Thin-lm platinum RTD elements with lead wires.

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MAKING THE CASE

For Solon, Ohio machine shop SRPM,

Inc, Sapa Aluminology™ means:

 10% longer tool life

 Improved consistency

 Better chip control

 Enhanced machining performance

 More aggressive speeds

 10% improved recovery

 Better surface ﬁ nish

Sapa ACC-U-LINE™ rod and bar product, available

from Sapa Premier Distributor Partners, is specially

engineered for high quality machining. Precision

machining company SRPM Inc. learned ﬁ rsthand

the difference between Sapa ACC-U-BAR and

competitor product.

An ISO9001 certiﬁ ed facility, SRPM produces

parts for everything from medical equipment to

aerospace components. Accuracy and consistency

are of the utmost importance, and they agree that

Sapa ACC-U-LINE rod and bar

products offer better performance in

their high speed multi-axis machining

centers. With Sapa product, SRPM can

achieve ultimate dimensional precision

and better chip control. This has resulted

in 10% longer tool life and a more proﬁ table outcome for the

company. ACC-U-BAR allows SRPM to leverage more aggressive

cutting speeds and feeds.

ACC-U-LINE is a product of Sapa Aluminology™, which utilizes

Sapa’s Indirect Extrusion press technology reducing the frictional

heat generated during extrusion, resulting in rod, bar and hex

products that have more consistent grain structure, tighter

dimensions and higher mechanical properties. Our Application

Engineers and Metallurgists have the skill to create aluminum

product extrusions for any industry, and with locations around the

globe Sapa expertise in aluminum extrusion is truly unsurpassed.

It’s What’s Inside That Counts!

ACC-U-LINE Core Competitor’s Core

BETTER BAR

MAKES A DIFFERENCE

800-233-3165 | www.sapagroup.com/NA

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