====== Soldering Thermo Couples ======

Let's talk a little about thermocouple wire alloys:

There are about 6 principal thermocouple pairs in common use:

    * Type E - CR-CN
    * Type J - Fe-CN
    * Type K - CR-AL
    * Type R - Pt/13/Rh-Pt
    * Type S - Pt/10/Rh-Pt
    * Type T - Cu-CN

Where,

    * Cu == Copper
    * CR == Chromel
    * CN == Constantan (53%Cu, 45%Ni)
    * Al == Alumel
    * Fe == Iron
    * Pt/10/Rh == Platinum + 10% Rhodium
    * Pt/13/Rh == Platinum + 13% Rhodium
    * Pt == Platinum

Each of these alloy combinations makes a dandy thermocouple, but each also has unique characteristics relative to soldering with conventional tin/lead solders, or welding.

    * Type E won't solder
    * Type J solders nicely
    * Type K won't solder
    * Type R won't solder
    * Type S won't solder
    * Type T solders nicely

Basically any alloy that has significant quantities of Chromium, Platinum, Rhodium, or Aluminum will be difficult to solder.

Copper solders nicely, iron solders nicely, nickel pretty well..,

-Chuck Harris