Accuracy and Transparency of Sliding Surface Temperature Measurements by Acicular Grindable Thermocouples

摘要

Grindable thermocouples have been used for measuring temperatures at sliding contacts under intensive wear conditions when the application of conventional thermocouples is impossible or substantially limited. The present study investigated the performance characteristics of an acicular grindable thermocouple which has a wearable part in the form of a cylinder, with special focus on the measurement accuracy and transparency. The experimental study was performed by using a pin-on-disc tribometer providing constant loading conditions. Two types of acicular grindable thermocouples were tested differing in the cross-sectional parameters of the wearable part. The experimental results suggest that the acicular grindable thermocouple enables measurements of the surface temperature of a car brake friction material against a steel disc with sufficient accuracy and transparency.