HIMERT: A Pan-European Project for the Development of Metal-Carbon Eutectics as Temperature Standards

摘要

Metal-carbon eutectic mixtures show much promise for high-temperature standards applications. A research project, Novel, High temperature, Metal-carbon Eutectic fixed points for Radiation Thermometry, Radiometry and Thermocouples (HIMERT) was accepted by the European Union (submitted under the Framework 5 Growth Programme) with a view to developing a unified European approach to these standards. The objectives of the project are to develop fixed-point cells both for radiation thermometry/radiometry and contact thermometry calibration applications. In total three sets of cells will be developed, two for radiation thermometry (by BNM-INM and NPL) and one for contact sensors (by BNM-LNE) and comparisons performed of the differing crucible designs. The cells developed for radiation thermometry will be calibrated according to the ITS-90 and measured radiometrically by a third participant (PTB). A set of cells will be transported to a laboratory external to the EU (the National Metrology Institute of Japan, NMIJ) for comparison with the cells developed there. In parallel with the experimental work a theoretical investigation of the eutectic process will be elaborated by the Universidad de Valladolid. Involvement of manufacturers of both contact sensors (Thermocoax) and IR thermometers (LAND Instruments) will ensure that the project works towards the provision of better high temperature standards for the wider measurement community. In addition, at the end of the project a discussion workshop will be held where the research team will present their findings to the high temperature user community in European industry with the aim of improving metrological standards through stimulating the uptake of metal-carbon eutectic technology on a broad front. A description of the project is given and first results are presented.