Calibration Bath
General Operation
27
Freezing Point:
The freezing point of a fluid is an obvious limitation to stirring.
As the freezing point is approached high viscosity may also limit good stirring.
Pour Point:
This represents a handling limit for the fluid.
Viscosity:
Points shown are at 50 and 10 centistokes. Greater than 50
centistokes stirring is very poor and unsatisfactory for bath applications. At 10
centistokes and below optimum stirring can occur. These are rules of thumb
which have been useful for most applications.
Fume Point:
The point at which a fume hood should be used. This point is very
subjective in nature and is impacted by individual tolerance to different fumes
and smells, how well the bath is covered, the surface area of the fluid in the bath,
the size and ventilation of the facility where the bath is located and others. We
assume the bath is well covered at this point. This is also subject to company
policy.
Flash Point:
The point at which ignition may occur. See flash point discussion
in the
Safety
section. The point shown may be either the open or closed cup
flash point.
Boiling Point:
At the boiling point of the fluid the temperature stability is
difficult to maintain. Fuming is excessive. Excessive amounts of heater power
may be required because of the heat of vaporization.
Decomposition:
All high temperature fluids may be reach a temperature point
at which decomposition of some form will begin. While it always begins slowly
at some lower temperature, the rate can increase to the point of danger or
impracticality at a higher temperature.
