GLTRS--Glenn
TITLE AND SUBTITLE:
Applications of Thin Film Thermocouples for Surface Temperature Measurement

AUTHOR(S):
Lisa C. Martin and Raymond Holanda

REPORT DATE:
August 1994

FUNDING NUMBERS:
WU-505-62-50

PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES):
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Lewis Research Center
Cleveland, Ohio 44135-3191

PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NUMBER:
E-9080

SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES):
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Washington, D.C. 20546-0001

REPORT TYPE AND DATES COVERED:
Technical Memorandum

SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY REPORT NUMBER:
NASA TM-106714

SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES:
Prepared for the Conference on Spin-Off Technologies for Commercial Sensors and Scientific Instrumentation cosponsored by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers, San Diego, California, July 24-29, 1994. Responsible person, Lisa C. Martin, organization code 2510, (216) 433-6468.

ABSTRACT:
Thin film thermocouples provide a minimally intrusive means of measuring surface temperature in hostile, high temperature environments. Unlike wire thermocouples, thin films do not necessitate any machining of the surface, thereby leaving intact its structural integrity. Thin films are many orders of magnitude thinner than wire, resulting in less disruption to the gas flow and thermal patterns that exist in the operating environment. Thin film thermocouples have been developed for surface temperature measurement on a variety of engine materials. The sensors are fabricated in the NASA Lewis Research Center's Thin Film Sensor Lab, which is a Class 1000 Clean Room. The thermocouples are platinum-13% rhodium vs platinum and are fabricated by the sputtering process. Thin film-to-leadwire connections are made using the parallel-gap welding process. Thermocouples have been developed for use on superalloys, ceramics and ceramic composites, and intermetallics. Some applications of thin film thermocouples are: temperature measurement of Space Shuttle Main Engine turbine blade materials, temperature measurement in gas turbine engine testing of advanced materials, and temperature and heat flux measurements in a diesel engine. Fabrication of thin film thermocouples is described. Sensor durability, drift rate, and maximum temperature capabilities are addressed.

SUBJECT TERMS:
Surface temperature measurement; Thin film thermocouples; Ceramics; Superalloys; High temperature

NUMBER OF PAGES:
14

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