STIKON™ Fast-Response Laminated Foil Thermocouples (RdF Models 20112, 20113, 20114)

Ideal Thermal Contact, Fast Response
Thin foil thermocouples, with butt bonded junctions, provide accurate, fast response sensors for surface temperature measurements. They are available in a free filament style with removable carrier and in a thin, high temperature laminate style with the sensor embedded in paper-thin laminate.

Thin foil gives extremely low thermal inertia plus maximum thermal coupling to the mounting surface. Thermocouple grade materials are used throughout the foil and leads for accuracy. Errors caused by thermal conduction between junction and leads are negligible, since the length to thickness ratio of the foil junction portion ranges from 500:1 to 2000:1.

Micro-Foil™ butt bonding produces thermocouples with no increase in thickness or mass at the junction. Location of the junction is definite and concise, essentially a short line, not spread out. Butt bonded foil is an intimate thermal layer at the sensing surface.

RdF laminated foil surface thermocouples are prefabricated and ready to use. They have the foil sensor embedded in a paper-thin laminate of glass-reinforced, high-temperature polymer and are intended for ungrounded surface application by adhesive bonding. Thin and flexible, they can be bonded to flat or curved surfaces.

The polymer used in the laminate has been selected for maximum heat resistance and electrical properties. Glass-reinforced polyimide polymer and Kapton® polyimide film outer layers make it possible to obtain a life of many thousands of hours at 500°F, hundreds of hours at 600°F, tens of hours at 700°F, and short time excursions to 800°F.

RdF laminated foil surface thermocouples are designed for easy installation with conventional reactive or pressure-sensitive adhesives. Select adhesive to suit the maximum expected operating temperature. Avoid solvent release adhesives that may not produce a void free bond. Epoxy adhesives, especially those suitable for continuous use at 500°F, are generally satisfactory.

This design features rugged fiberglass insulated lead wires suitable for the maximum use temperatures.

*The high temperature limit varies with environmental conditions and lifetime requirements.