Temperature Measuring Devices

Thermorings

Since the ceramic Industry exists, there has always been the need to measure and compare temperatures, as heat  treatment is probably the most characteristic operation in the total ceramic process.Thermorings are temperature measuring devices , which are pressed and then used in the green (unifired) stage. They are a ceramic material themselves composed of low evaporating raw meterials. With its special composition. A ring has a linear shrinkage over almost its complete application range, giving a high degree of accurancy, due to time proven calibration programmes. The thermoring gives in one number the integral of the total firing cycle, being mainly the close temperature and the soaktime, which represents in fact the real product heat treatment.

Bullers Rings

To develop the optimum properities of a ceramic product, the control and uniform application of the heat work is essential. Even the latest kilns, with microprocessor temperature controls, provide for `spot`readings only, at fixed points, and cannot monitor the effects of heat work or kiln loading on firing process. Variations in local tenperatures within a kiln can exceed 100 degrees, introducing a variable that is difficult to predict. A number of devices have been developed to measure heat work in a way that is similar to the ceramic products themselves. Most of these devices rely on visual deformation, only Bullers Rings use collored contraction which can be recorded as a single number to measure heat work.

Seger cones

For a long time the Seger cone has been the only means for monitoring and controlling the firing process in the ceramic industry and even modern measuring and control technology has not been able to reduce the importance of this cone .

The reason for this is simply rooted in the fact that the Seger cone performs functions which cannot be carried out on the basis of modern measuring techniques.