Tungsten-Rhenium Thermocouple

Thermocouple for Vacuum Furnaces

Tungsten-rhenium thermocouples are the most heat-resistant metal thermocouples available today. They are mainly used in vacuum, hydrogen, and inert gas environments, with a maximum operating temperature up to 2300℃.They feature excellent linear thermoelectric characteristics, high thermoelectric power, high-temperature capability, and cost-effectiveness.

Available types include WRe5-WRe26 (Type C) and WRe3-WRe25 (Type D), with accuracy classes of 1.0% and 0.5%.

Our company pioneered the promotion and application of tungsten-rhenium thermocouples in China starting in 1997, and is one of the leading manufacturers in this field. We hold a leading position in both production volume and market share.We have also participated in formulating the national standard Tungsten-Rhenium Thermocouple Wires and Thermoelectric Tables and the industrial standard Technical Specifications for Tungsten-Rhenium Thermocouples.

Our tungsten-rhenium thermocouples are constructed with special protective tubes made of molybdenum, tantalum, tungsten, or alumina, densely filled with high-temperature insulation materials matched to the operating temperature, and hermetically sealed under vacuum.

In particular, our high-temperature and high-pressure tungsten-rhenium thermocouples capable of withstanding temperatures above 1900℃ and pressures above 6MPa were the first successfully developed in China. A national patent was filed on December 10, 2012 (Patent No. ZL 2012 2 0676417.6).

Our double-sleeve tungsten-rhenium thermocouples (alumina + molybdenum) can also be used in oxidizing atmospheres up to 1600℃, creating technical conditions for tungsten-rhenium thermocouples to replace precious metal thermocouples in most applications.

Currently, the primary application of tungsten-rhenium thermocouples is in the vacuum furnace industry."Vacuum" refers to a state where pressure is below standard atmospheric pressure in a confined space.Standard atmospheric pressure is 101325 Pa.

Low vacuum: 10⁵ ~ 10² Pa

Medium vacuum: 10² ~ 10⁻¹ Pa

High vacuum: 10⁻¹ ~ 10⁻⁵ Pa

Ultra-high vacuum: < 10⁻⁵ Pa

Tungsten-rhenium thermocouples for vacuum furnaces have extremely high requirements for airtightness. Our company adopts special sealing treatments to ensure that the leakage rate of the thermocouple inside the furnace is lower than the overall pressure rise rate of the system.

For the type designation method of tungsten-rhenium thermocouples, please refer to Thermocouple & RTD Type Designation Methods.

Key technical parameters for selection are shown in the table below: