AMORPHOUS-CRYSTALLINE THERMOCOUPLE AND METHODS OF ITS MANUFACTURE

摘要

A thermocouple (10) formed of a length of a single composition having a first solid phase section (12) adjoining a second solid phase section (16), and a transition (14) therebetween. One method of making such thermocouples (10) is to raise the temperature of the first solid phase section (12) above its transformation temperature while maintaining the temperature of the second adjoining solid phase section (16). A second method includes rapidly solidifying a molten material (40) by contacting it with a moving substrate (44) formed of adjoining regions of differing thermal conductivity (48, 46). A third method includes rapidly solidifying a molten material (72) by alternatingly contacting it with a cooling fluid (76) and air. A fourth method includes transforming a section of a length of material in a first solid phase to a second solid phase by mechanical means.