ASTM E839-96 - 10.6.1996
 
1. Scope

1.1 These are test methods for sheathed thermocouple material and assemblies.

1.2 The tests are intended to assure quality control and to evaluate the suitability of sheathed thermocouple material or assemblies for specific applications. Some alternative test methods to obtain the same information are given, since in a given situation an alternative test method may be more practical. Service conditions are widely variable and so it is unlikely that all the tests described will be appropriate for a given thermocouple application. A brief statement is made following each test description to indicate when it might be used.

1.3 The tests described herein include test methods to measure the following properties of sheathed thermocouple material and assemblies.

1.3.1 Insulation Properties:

1.3.1.1 Compaction-absorption method and tension method,

1.3.1.2 Thickness, and

1.3.1.3 Resistance-room temperature and elevated temperature.

1.3.2 Sheath Properties:

1.3.2.1 Integrity-water test (two test methods) and mass spectrometer,

1.3.2.2 Dimensions-length, diameter, and roundness,

1.3.2.3 Wall thickness,

1.3.2.4 Surface-gross visual, finish, defect detection by dye penetrant, and cold-lap detection by tension test,

1.3.2.5 Metallurgical structure, and

1.3.2.6 Ductility-bend test and tension test.

1.3.3 Thermoelement Properties:

1.3.3.1 Calibration,

1.3.3.2 Homogeneity,

1.3.3.3 Drift,

1.3.3.4 Thermoelement diameter, roundness, and surface appearance,

1.3.3.5 Thermoelement spacing,

1.3.3.6 Thermoelement ductility, and

1.3.3.7 Metallurgical structure.

1.3.4 Thermocouple Assembly Properties:

1.3.4.1 Dimensions-length, diameter, and roundness,

1.3.4.2 Surface-gross visual, finish, reference end seal, and defect detection by dye penetrant,

1.3.4.3 Electrical-continuity, loop resistance, and connector polarity,

1.3.4.4 Insulation resistance-room temperature, and elevated temperature,

1.3.4.5 Radiographic inspection,

1.3.4.6 Thermoelement diameter,

1.3.4.7 Thermal response time, and

1.3.4.8 Thermal cycle.

 
2. Referenced Documents

USAEC Division of Reactor Development and Technology RDT Standard C 2-1T

Surface Texture Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036.

E585/E585M-23

Standard Specification for Compacted Mineral-Insulated, Metal-Sheathed, Base Metal Thermocouple Cable

E344-23

Terminology Relating to Thermometry and Hydrometry

E235-06

Standard Specification for Thermocouples, Sheathed, Type K and Type N, for Nuclear or for Other High-Reliability Applications

E230-03

Standard Specification and Temperature-Electromotive Force (EMF) Tables for Standardized Thermocouples

E220-19

Standard Test Method for Calibration of Thermocouples By Comparison Techniques

E207-21

Standard Test Method for Thermal EMF Test of Single Thermoelement Materials by Comparison With Reference Thermoelement of Similar EMF-Temperature Properties

E177-20

Standard Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods

E165-09

Standard Practice for Liquid Penetrant Examination for General Industry

E1684-10

Standard Specification for Miniature Thermocouple Connectors

E1350-18(2023)

Standard Guide for Testing Sheathed Thermocouples, Thermocouple Assemblies, and Connecting Wires Prior to, and After Installation or Service

E2181/E2181M-19

Standard Specification for Compacted Mineral-Insulated, Metal-Sheathed, Noble Metal Thermocouples and Thermocouple Cable

E1751-00

Standard Guide for Temperature Electromotive Force (emf) Tables for Non-Letter Designated Thermocouple Combinations (Withdrawn 2009)

E1129/E1129M-19

Standard Specification for Thermocouple Connectors

E1025-18

Standard Practice for Design, Manufacture, and Material Grouping Classification of Hole-Type Image Quality Indicators (IQI) Used for Radiography

E780-17(2021)

Standard Test Method for Measuring the Insulation Resistance of Mineral-Insulated, Metal-Sheathed Thermocouples and Mineral-Insulated, Metal-Sheathed Cable at Room Temperature

E691-23

Standard Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method

E608/E608M-13(2019)

Standard Specification for Mineral-Insulated, Metal-Sheathed Base Metal Thermocouples

E94-04

Standard Guide for Radiographic Examination

E112-13(2021)

Standard Test Methods for Determining Average Grain Size

E3-11(2017)

Standard Guide for Preparation of Metallographic Specimens