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October 13, 2015
Strain gages go down a hole
We all know that rabbits can go down a hole but did you know that strain gages can too? There are instances where it is preferred to install the strain gage inside a hole rather than on the surface....
October 9, 2015
Low-Temperature Applications
If your application calls for cryogenic temperatures, Micro-Measurements' M-Coat B protective coating is the answer. Unlike other coatings that become brittle and ineffective at low temperatures...
October 6, 2015
She has a Need for Speed
During the day Natalie Lahti-Schampers is a test and development engineer at a fire truck manufacturer. On weekends, she is a buggy racer.  Recently Natalie and her husband Jason attended a...
October 1, 2015
Electronic Pressure Measuring Transducers
So which measuring technology is best? Bonded foil sensing technology. What makes foil strain gages continue to be popular is mainly their ruggedness. You can drop them on the floor or hit them...
September 29, 2015
Selecting Adhesives for Strain Gage Bonding
M-Bond 200 cyanoacrylate adhesive is often requested as a first choice because of ease of use, but its characteristics are acceptable mostly for short-term and ambient-temperature test situations....
September 25, 2015
Pressure Vessel Testing
The electrical resistance strain gage is virtually insensitive to pressure applied normal to the plane of the installed gage, even in high-pressure environments.  Research suggests that the...
September 22, 2015
Determining PhotoStress Coating Volume
When preparing to make a PhotoStress coating, determine the volume of liquid resin using the formula: (length x width x thickness) x 18.5. This will  give you the number of grams of liquid...
September 17, 2015
Take Care in Where you Engage the Gage
While very robust when properly installed, strain gages are very delicate prior to installation and protection by approved coatings. When handling strain gages prior to installations, use only clean...
September 15, 2015
Why were strain gages first produced with 120 Ω resistance?
According to Frank Tatnall in his book "Tatnall on Testing" (1966, American Society of Metals, p. 101) and as reported in the “SR-4 News Letter” (1940s): “A gage...
September 11, 2015
Beware of Long Wire Runs
When strain gage instrumentation leads become unwieldy, the probability of pulling tabs off the by tripping over the wires increases.  Make sure that you properly strain relieve the wires by...