Michell Instruments S8000RS chilled-mirror hygrometer

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Michell Instruments’ S8000RS chilled-mirror hygrometer offers an accuracy of ±0.1°C, with a wide measurement range of -80 to +20°C dewpoint, making it a suitable choice for moisture control in a range of metallurgical processes, including sintering.

Sintering is a process where powdered metals are bonded together to form light and strong products, from filters to machine parts. Because the powdered metal is not fully melted, the temperatures involved are relatively low — around 600°C — but careful control of moisture is essential to ensure the finished quality. Because the raw material is powdered metal, moisture present in the furnace could cause clumping or, as the moisture evaporates in the heat, the creation of large holes in the finished product. To avoid this, accurate control and measurement of moisture is vital.

For sintering carried out at 600°C, maintaining a constant dewpoint of -60°C in the furnace is necessary and the gas is sampled at several points in the process. A fast-responding moisture analyser is essential so that action may be taken quickly if moisture levels rise above acceptable limits.

The S8000RS is claimed to be the smallest hygrometer on the market that is able to reliably reach dewpoints of -80°C. This small size is possible because it does not require any external cooling, which makes it well suited to metallurgical applications where its small footprint makes it easy to install in an air-conditioned instrumentation cabinet.