Thermocouple Technology and Silicon Carbide Thermal Conductivity

Silicon Carbide (SiC) is a non-oxide ceramic material with excellent heat and thermal shock resistance. As such, SiC finds use in applications like wear resistant parts, refractories and ceramics due to its low thermal expansion coefficient, electronics for other properties as well as in abrasives for wear resistance and wear-resistance and electronics abrasives and wear resistant parts due to its hardness, as well as in refractories for its low thermal expansion coefficient and electronics for its other properties.

SiC is known to handle higher voltages than silicon, making it ideal for power electronics and optoelectronic applications1,2.

Thermocouple

Chemical and industrial processes rely on precise temperature thresholds for optimal outcomes in terms of both quality and quantity. At the center of it all is thermocouple technology, which provides real-time data on reaction temperatures for precise adjustments that enhance efficiency while mitigating costly deviations that threaten production results.

German physicist Thomas Seebeck discovered that when two opposite ends of metal were exposed to different temperatures, an electric current flowed between them – this phenomenon became known as the “Seebeck effect”, and forms the basis of any thermocouple device.

A thermocouple consists of two metal wires joined together at their reference junction and when exposed to hot temperatures, they generate an EMF proportional to their respective temperatures; this voltage can then be measured using a voltmeter to show any fluctuations between their two points and show any potential temperature differences between them.

As any two metals can exhibit the thermoelectric effect, IEC 60584-1 has specified several conductor combinations that are ideal for high-accuracy thermocouples in terms of stability and accuracy. These conductors are known as types K, T and J and are designated by their individual metal constituents’ names as indicators for proper thermocouple operation.

Duratec reaction-bonded silicon carbide thermocouple protection tubes offer exceptional corrosion resistance, abrasion resistance and low thermal expansion properties, making them the ideal choice for industrial ceramic kilns, large boilers and the chemical industry. Their thin walls ensure fast temperature response time with double the strength of oxide-bonded tubing.

Heat Pipes

Tungsten carbide (WC) comes in several polymorphs, the most popular being alpha. WC features high hardness and toughness along with low weight and excellent chemical resistance; therefore it finds use in applications involving high temperatures and voltages such as electronics devices as well as providing strong abrasion and impact resistance.

WC ceramic powder can also be found in composite materials, including carbon fiber-reinforced silicon carbide (CFRC), which is commonly found in brake pads for cars and other vehicles, due to its ability to withstand extreme temperatures and stress from driving. Furthermore, Chobham armour used on tanks and military vehicles also features this material, providing high velocity impact protection.

Heat pipes are small cylinders filled with liquid working fluid (e.g. methanol). When heated from the outside, their liquid component evaporates and absorbs latent heat of vaporization before condensing at one of its cooler ends and releasing that latent heat – enabling simultaneous heating at both ends for rapid thermal transfer.

Heat pipes can be used for dissipating heat at various temperatures and environments – from low- to high-temperature applications – from space to air and water environments. They can power a radio we can send into hell while cooling CPUs in microcomputers.

Heat Exchangers

Silicon carbide boasts exceptional corrosion and wear resistance, and can withstand temperatures exceeding 500 F without being compromised. This material is used extensively in ceramics and refractories production as well as grinding wheels and other forms of abrasives, furnace linings and flow chokes, control flow chokes, as well as metal alloy components which must operate under extreme temperatures.

Silicon carbide in its original state is an electrical insulator, but when doped with certain substances it becomes semi-conductive, enabling heat transfer through inducible turbulent flow similar to what a heat pipe offers. As a result, silicon carbide makes an ideal material for applications requiring high thermal conductivity while still having low fouling rates.

Carbon fiber reinforced silicon carbide (CFRSiC), an extremely tough and long-wearing material used for composite applications such as carbon fiber reinforced silicon carbide composites. CFRSiC boasts strength without weight penalty – perfect for motors, pumps, valves, and high temperature applications.

Due to its durability and high temperature stability, silicon carbide has long been considered one of the premier choices for refractory materials. It can be found in industrial furnaces, ceramic kilns, and furnaces; and is even sometimes used to create high performance mirrors for astronomical telescopes. Furthermore, due to its strength and rigidity it provides an effective replacement for glass; being resistant against acid and alkalis it makes an effective refractory material option.

Heat Sinks

Silicon carbide is an non-oxide ceramic with numerous desirable properties that make it suitable for numerous industrial applications. Its non-corrosion resistance in various environments makes it particularly suited for high voltage use; furthermore, as a semiconductor it boasts exceptional electrical characteristics making silicon carbide semiconductor devices extremely popular today.

Silicon carbide has long been utilized as part of passive and active cooling systems to cool semiconductors and other electronics. Passive cooling utilizes natural convection and radiation to dissipate heat from components while active cooling makes use of fans to move air over them and dissipate heat more effectively.

Silicon carbide thermal conductivity depends heavily on its crystal structure and temperature. There are two polymorphs: alpha (a-SiC) and beta (b-SiC). A-SiC forms have Wurtzite crystal structures; these are more frequently encountered. B-SiC forms, with zinc blende crystal structures, are less frequently seen.

Silicon carbide stands out among abrasive and extreme environments due to its strength, hardness, durability and corrosion/erosion resistance. Furthermore, it is meta-stable – not reacting with most inorganic acids, salts or alkalis as well as water vapor or oxygen.