Vishay's New ZC-Series Free-Filament Strain Gages Provide High-Temperature Measurement Range up to 2100 °F

MALVERN, PENNSYLVANIA — February 12, 2004 — Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. (NYSE: VSH) has released the new ZC-Series strain gages with etched Kanthal (Fe Cr Al alloy) foil grids in free-filament form, designed for high-temperature measurement at up to 2100 °F [1150°C].

As special-purpose high-temperature strain gages, the new ZC-Series sensors from Vishay Micro-Measurements are intended for high-temperature testing applications, and particularly for dynamic stress analysis testing.

Of the 10 sensors released today, some are available in linear patterns with inactive temperature-compensating grids and in high-resistance options, and others in a Tee-rosette pattern in a half-bridge configuration. Resistance values of 120 Ω, 200 Ω, and 350 Ω are available, depending on pattern design.

Gage lengths range from 0.063 in. to 0.200 in. [1.57 mm to 5.08 mm], and overall length ranges from 0.150 in. up to 0.503 in. [3.81 mm to 12.78 mm]. The range of grid widths extends from 0.076 in. to 0.280 in. [1.93 mm to 7.11 mm], with overall device widths ranging from 0.076 in. to 0.442 in. [1.93 mm to 11.23 mm].

ZC-Series strain gages are designed for bonding with ceramic adhesives or through use of the flame spray or Rokide® processes. Each gage is supplied with a removable high-temperature carrier for gage handling during installation. All patterns feature 1 in. [25.4 mm] Nichrome ribbon leads spot-welded to the gage tabs for leadwire attachment.

Because gages in this series cannot be self-temperature compensated, a dummy compensating gage must be used to minimize thermally induced apparent strain, or thermal output, in static measurement applications.

ZC Series devices are suitable for use with instruments and installation accessories from Vishay Micro-Measurements. Production quantities of the new strain gages are available now.

Vishay Micro-Measurements is a division of Vishay Measurements Group. Vishay Measurements Group develops, manufacturers, and markets a broad range of sensors for a wide variety of test and measurement applications. These include electrical resistance strain gages for both stress analysis testing and transducer manufacturing applications, instrumentation, and hybrid strain gage assemblies under the Vishay Micro-Measurements brand, and transducers for OEM applications and certified load cells for electronic scales and other weighing applications under the Vishay Nobel, Sensortronics, Tedea-Huntleigh, BLH, and Celtron brands. Vishay Measurements Group is part of Vishay Intertechnology.

Vishay Intertechnology, Inc., a Fortune 1,000 Company listed on the NYSE (VSH), is one of the world's largest manufacturers of discrete semiconductors (diodes, rectifiers, transistors, and optoelectronics and selected ICs) and passive electronic components (resistors, capacitors, inductors, sensors, and transducers). These components are used in virtually all types of electronic devices and equipment, in the industrial, computing, automotive, consumer, telecommunications, military, aerospace, and medical markets. Its product innovations, successful acquisition strategy, and ability to provide "one-stop shop" service have made Vishay a global industry leader. Vishay can be found on the Internet at http://www.vishay.com.