Specialty Ceramics
High-performance advanced ceramics for extreme conditions
Saint-Gobain Performance Ceramics & Refractories offers advanced specialty ceramics products, consisting of silicon carbide, silicon nitride, Alumina and Boron Carbide materials, designed to perform reliably in the harshest conditions. These engineered solutions provide exceptional thermal stability, corrosion resistance, and mechanical strength, making them ideal for high-temperature reactors, chemically aggressive processes, precision metrology, mechanical seals, thermocouple protection & gas sensors, labware operations, and semiconductor manufacturing equipment. Focused on durability and efficiency, Saint-Gobain’s solutions help critical industries improve reliability, minimize maintenance, and optimize operational performance.
Thermocouple and Sensor Protection Tubes
Tubes and Crushable Insulators
Hexoloy®, N-Durance®, Silit SK, and Refrax® 20E tubes shield temperature sensors from molten metals, salts, corrosive gases, hot dust, reducing and / or oxidizing atmospheres, turbulent conditions, and repeat thermal cycling in industrial processes.
Temperature sensors provide essential data for control of industrial manufacturing processes, but these sensors are often exposed to harsh environments.
Saint-Gobain Performance Ceramics & Refractories offers four types of silicon carbide protection tubes designed to protect sensors and ensure reliable and long-term operation. These are:
- Tubes closed at one end, for use in a wide range of applications and industries
- Tubes open at both ends, for use in industrial gas sensors
- Two types of crushable insulators, for electrically insulating thermocouple wires inside Mineral Insulated Metal Sheathed (MIMS) thermocouples and cables
Saint-Gobain Performance Ceramics & Refractories’ thermocouple protection products have proven be an effective and reliable solution for industrial users for over 30 years.
Specialty Ceramics Products For Thermocouple Sensor Protection
| Material | Brand | Benefits / Value Proposition | Application Recommendation |
| Sintered Silicon Carbide | Hexoloy® SE | Excellent sag resistance Fast response time Chemically inert | Harsh conditions Petrochemical incinerators Basic materials Chemicals Furnaces |
| Nitride Bonded Silicon Carbide | Cryston® 789A N-Durance® Refrax® 20E | Egonomical choice Large diameters High thermal shock resistance | Non-ferrous metals Heat treatment furnaces |
| Siliconized Silicon Carbide | Silit® SK | Fully dense & gas tight High strength up to 1,350°C | Gas analyzer probes Furnaces Kilns |
Documents
FAQ
Which material is the best suited for use in a thermocouple protection tube?
Choice of material depends on operating conditions, such as temperature, environmental chemistry, thermal cycling, fluid flow, and presence of particulates. Saint-Gobain Performance Ceramics & Refractories’ team of experts is on hand to discuss any requirements around material selection.
Can silicon carbide tubes be used with platinum wire thermocouples?
Yes. However, use of inner alumina protection tube (closed at one end) is recommended.
Does Saint-Gobain Performance Ceramics & Refractories offer fully assembled thermocouple sensors?
No. Saint-Gobain Performance Ceramics & Refractories sells its products to thermocouple OEMs for sensor construction and assembly.
