Thermocouple wire

BASF Catalysts has supplied science and industry with thermocouple wire for more than 100 years. We maintain an expert team of metallurgists, metrologists and process application engineers. All BASF Catalysts-produced thermocouple wire conforms to the latest version of international standards. For all combinations, the EMF-temperature relationships are in accord with the applicable IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) Standards, which incorporate all major national institutions.

Our thermocouple wires are based on precious metals, long recognized as the most reliable sensing elements for high-temperature measurement.

Our major wire thermocouple combinations include:

Type S: Pt vs. Pt 10 Rh
One of the most popular and widely used precious metal thermocouple combinations is known for its high accuracy over a broad temperature range. The combination has excellent mechanical and chemical properties, low electrical resistivity, and is readily obtainable in uniform quality and in very fine diameters.

Type R: Pt vs. Pt 13 R
This widely used combination is almost identical to Type S except for a slightly higher thermoelectric output, which accommodates instruments that have been calibrated for this output.

Type B: Pt 6 Rh vs. Pt 30 Rh
This widely used thermocouple is very similar to other Pt and Rh combinations. It performs well at the higher application temperatures where other combinations may be subject to accelerated drift or physical degradation. It is unique in that, at reference junction temperatures below 100° C, compensating lead wire is generally not necessary: plain copper conductors are adequate.

Pt 20 Rh vs. Pt 40 Rh
An extremely stable combination for very high temperature use in problematical environments. Its low sensitivity (4 microvolts per °C) requires the use of direct EMF reading instruments. An excellent researcher's tool for high temperature measurement.

Iridium vs. Iridium 40 Rhodium
This is the only thermocouple combination that can be used up to 2000° C in oxidizing environments. It is also useful in vacuum and neutral atmospheres.

Platinel®
A development by BASF Catalysts that brings together the high electrical output of the high base alloys with the oxidation resistance and stability of the precious metals. Often used as a direct replacement for Type K in process control applications where long life, stability, and continuous trouble-free performance is required.

Type C
W3Re vs. W25Re and W5Re vs. W26Re
These refractory metal combinations provide the ability to measure and control temperatures up to 2800° C, limited only by the availability of suitable insulation. The W3Re/W25Re combination developed by BASF Catalysts introduced the concept of doping the low rhenium allow leg in order to improve ductility and handling. Today's improved version of the W5Re/W26Re combination is also doped for similar benefits.