High-temperature thermocouple assemblies excel in demanding autoclave applications

AccuConnect (top left), PeekSense thermocouples (bottom left) and cable assembly (right). Photo Credit: TE Wire & Cable

TE Wire & Cable (TEW&C, Saddlebrook, N.J., U.S.) is a manufacturer of specialty thermocouple wire and cable with a history dating back to 1941. The company’s AccuClave Series thermocouples and PEEKSense thermocouples are a couple of offerings that will be on display, emphasizing TEW&C’s specialization in high-temperature applications, serving various industries including aerospace, industrial and power generation.

TEW&C produces high-temperature thermocouples engineered to excel in demanding autoclave applications. Its AccuClave series includes:

AccuClave autoclave thermocouple assemblies
AccuClave-X – Autoclave thermocouple cable extensions
AccuConnect – Multi-circuit thermocouple extension cable harnesses
AccuFlex – Low-profile, flat thermocouple cable assemblies

With a patented design, these premade thermocouple assemblies enable efficiency and reliability in composites manufacturing. The AccuClave portfolio is capable of withstanding temperature and pressure. They can endure extreme temperature and pressure conditions, ensuring optimal connectivity in the production process for composites manufacturing. Moreover, the series offers improved efficiency and reliability. The thermocouples are said to deliver labor savings and offer simplified installation, replacement and seamless traceability via the company’s TRAC online tool, thus significantly reducing non-conformances, making them widely utilize and providing a return on investment (ROI).

For high-temperature materials, high-temperature thermoplastics and thermoset processing TEW&C recommends its PEEKSense thermocouples. They ensure fast assembly, their design eliminating the need to strip the wire completely to bare metal or apply some high-temperature insulation. PEEKSense is also reported to be the only non-fibrous solution for thermoplastic processing. It remains intact even at temperatures up to 400°C, outperforming typical polyimide films. Once sealed, it does not leak under pressure or vacuum environments. These thermocouples are compatible with all polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherketoneketone (PEKK) and polyaryletherketone (PAEK) processing temperatures, providing better handling for operators, and are completely insulated and sealing, offering 100% reliability and eliminating the risk of shorts.