Designation: B223 − 08 (Reapproved 2013)

Standard Test Method for

Modulus of Elasticity of Thermostat Metals (Cantilever
Beam Method)1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B223; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope method the modulus of elasticity is calculated from the

1.1 This test method covers the determination of the modu- expression for the deflection of a cantilever beam under
lus of elasticity of thermostat metals at any temperature mechanical load which is transposed to read as follows:
between −300 and +1000°F (−185 and 540°C) by mounting the E 5 4Pl3 /dbt3
specimen as a cantilever beam and measuring the deflection
where:
when subjected to a mechanical load.
E = modulus of elasticity, psi or MPa,
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded P = load, lbf or N,
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical l = gage length, in. or mm,
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only d = specimen deflection, in. or mm,
and are not considered standard. b = specimen width, in. or mm, and
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the t = specimen thickness, in. or mm.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to become familiar 4. Apparatus (Figs. 1-3)
with all hazards including those identified in the appropriate 4.1 Specimen Holder for securely clamping the test speci-
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for this product/material men in a horizontal position as a cantilever beam when
as provided by the manufacturer, to establish appropriate immersed in a bath at the desired temperature. It shall carry a
safety and health practices, and determine the applicability of micrometer depth gage for reading the deflection of the
regulatory limitations prior to use. specimen and a loading rod for loading the specimen. Both of
these shall extend sufficiently above the liquid level of the bath
2. Referenced Documents to permit the operator to perform the test at the higher test
2.1 ASTM Standards:2 temperatures.
B388 Specification for Thermostat Metal Sheet and Strip 4.1.1 Specimen holder to be made sufficiently rigid to allow
normal handling without distortion.
3. Terminology
4.2 Loading Rod, 1⁄8 in. (3.2 mm) or less in diameter, for
3.1 Definitions: carrying the load and transmitting its weight vertically to the
3.1.1 thermostat metal, n—a composite material, usually in free end of the cantilever specimen. It shall be made of a low
the form of sheet or strip, comprising two or more materials of expansion material; the mounting clamp and tube shall be
any appropriate nature, metallic or otherwise, which, by virtue made of the same material as the specimen mounting clamps in
of the differing expansivities of the components, tends to alter order to prevent a difference in expansion rates from affecting
its curvature when its temperature is changed. the deflection readings. The bottom end shall be conically
3.1.2 modulus of elasticity, n—the ratio, within the elastic shaped and shall rest in the conical punch mark at the free end
limit of a material, of stress to corresponding strain. In this test of the specimen. Any supports shall permit free movement with
specimen deflection and shall provide electrical insulation from
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B02 on
the micrometer depth gage. Near the top shall be a holder for
Nonferrous Metals and Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee supporting the load. The weight of the loading rod and holder
B02.10 on Thermostat Metals and Electrical Resistance Heating Materials. shall be no greater than 1 oz (28 g).
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2013. Published August 2013. Originally
approved in 1948. Last previous edition approved in 2008 as B223 – 08. DOI: 4.3 Micrometer Depth Gage, for measuring the deflection of
10.1520/B0223-08R13.
2
the specimen to the nearest 0.0001 in. (0.002 mm). It shall be
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
mounted directly over the loading rod. The micrometer shaft
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on shall be in the same vertical line as the loading rod, so that
the ASTM website. readings can be taken of the top of the loading rod for no-load

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States

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 B223 − 08 (2013)

FIG. 1 Testing Machine for Determining Modulus of Elasticity of Thermostat Metal

nience in taking no-load and full-load readings and shall not be

of sufficient weight to deflect the specimen more than 0.30 in.
(7.6 mm).
4.5 Bath—A stirred liquid so that the temperature shall be
substantially constant during the test.
4.6 Electronic Indicator, sensitive, low-current, to give a
signal when the micrometer depth gage shaft completes the
electrical circuit across the indicator terminals by touching the
top of the loading rod. The indicator sensitivity shall be such
that loading rod positions can be determined with a precision of
60.0001 in. (0.002 mm).
4.7 All metallic components of apparatus, excluding mi-
crometer and loads, should be made of very low coefficient of
thermal expansion materials. The recommended material is
invar.

5. Precautions
5.1 Load and no-load readings of the various trials will not
FIG. 2 Specimen Mounting Clamp Assembly approximately duplicate each other in the event the load is
sufficiently great to overstress the specimen beyond its elastic
and full-load positions. The gage shall be insulated electrically limit. In this case a new specimen shall be substituted and a
from the specimen holder and the loading rod. lighter load used which will not overstress the material.
4.4 Load, constructed so that when placed in the holder, its 5.2 Modulus of elasticity measurements to be within the
center of gravity will coincide with the center of the loading maximum recommended temperatures as stated in Specifica-
rod. It shall be readily detachable for the operator’s conve- tion B388.

2
 B223 − 08 (2013)

FIG. 3 Specimen Mounting Clamp Details

6. Test Specimen 7. Preparation of Specimen

6.1 The test specimen shall be the form of a strip approxi- 7.1 Gage Length—The gage length shall be the distance on
mately 11⁄4 in. (31.8 mm) longer than the gage length. The the specimen between the center of the punch mark that
thickness may be any value between 0.015 and 0.055 in. (0.38 supports the loading rod and the edge of the specimen holder
and 1.40 mm); however, corresponding width values shall clamps. This punch mark shall be approximately one half of the
conform with those in Fig. 4. Width and thickness dimensions thickness of the specimen deep and located on the center line
shall be determined with a precision of 60.0001 in. (0.002 1⁄4 in. (6.4 mm) from the free end on low expansion side

mm). surface. To obtain the necessary accuracy in gage length, the

FIG. 4 Width of Test Specimen

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 B223 − 08 (2013)

FIG. 5 Specimen

specimen shall be made as shown in Fig. 5 which, when the

specimen is placed in the specimen mounting clamps, will
maintain the gage length with a tolerance of 60.003 in. (0.08
mm). Table 1 gives the gage lengths for various specimen
thicknesses.
NOTE 1—For thicknesses, widths, and lengths not covered by this test
method, the procedure shall be agreed between the manufacturer and the
purchaser.
7.2 After being roughly cut, slit, or sheared from the sample,
FIG. 6 Relationship of Specimen No-Load, Straight, and Full-Load
the test specimen shall be finished to size by careful machining Positions at Test Temperature
or filing.
7.3 Preforming Operation—The specimen shall be pre- 8. Procedure
formed into a shape approximating the segment of a circle. The
8.1 Cleaning—Carefully remove any oxide coating and
amount of this preforming shall be such that, when subjected to
other foreign substances from all those surfaces which directly
the desired temperature, the specimen will take an upward
affect the electrical resistance of the electronic indicator circuit
curvature sufficient to cause the no-load and full-load deflec-
through the testing apparatus. This operation is necessary to
tion positions to be approximately equally distant above and
permit maximum sensitivity of the indicator. The top of the
below the straight position (Fig. 6).
loading rod which touches the micrometer depth gage shaft
7.4 Heat Treatment—After the preforming work has been may be ground to a point in order to further increase the
completed the specimen shall be heat treated to relieve all indicator sensitivity.
internal stresses. This treatment shall consist of heating the
8.2 Test Routine—Clamp the specimen securely in the
specimen while free to bend at a prescribed temperature and for
specimen holder using the 0.125-in. (3.18-mm) dowel hole and
a prescribed time. Heat treatment shall be at least 50°F higher
0.125-in. dowel pin for accurate positioning. Lower the bottom
than the maximum tested temperature at a soak time of 1 h. The
part of the specimen holder with the specimen into the bath of
details of this procedure will depend on the characteristics of
the desired temperature and support the apparatus rigidly. Place
the thermostat metal and shall be mutually agreed upon by the
the lower end of the loading rod in the punch mark at the free
manufacturer and the purchaser.
end of the specimen. Connect the electronic indicator to
7.5 Marking—Any identification marking shall be placed on terminals on the specimen holder. When satisfactory initial
that part of the fixed end of the specimen not included in the conditions have been established, adjust the micrometer depth
gage length. gage until the electronic indicator signals that the gage shaft is
touching the loading rod and record this position as the no-load
TABLE 1 Gage Length of Test Specimen reading. Deflect the specimen by placing the load on the load
Specimen Thickness Gage Length holder and record this position of the rod as the load reading.
in. mm in. mm The difference between these two readings will be the amount
of deflection. Obtain an average value of deflection from ten or
0.015 to 0.0199, incl 0.38 to 0.509, incl 21⁄2 ± ⁄
12 63.5 ± 1.3 more trials.
0.020 to 0.0249, incl 0.51 to 0.639, incl 3 ± ⁄
12 76.2 ± 1.3
0.025 to 0.0299, incl 0.64 to 0.759, incl 31⁄2 ± 1⁄ 2 88.9 ± 1.3 8.3 Calculation of Modulus of Elasticity—Substituting the
0.030 to 0.0349, incl 0.76 to 0.889, incl 4 ± 1⁄ 2 101.6 ± 1.3 specimen size and the average deflection for a known load in
0.035 to 0.0449, incl 0.89 to 1.139, incl 41⁄2 ± 1⁄ 2 114.3 ± 1.3
0.045 to 0.055, incl 1.14 to 1.40, incl 5 ± 1⁄ 2 127.0 ± 1.3 the equation in 3.1.2, calculate the modulus of elasticity, E, as
in the following example:

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 B223 − 08 (2013)
E 5 4Pl3 /dbt3 9.1.2 Dimensions of specimen in inches or millimetres,
where: 9.1.3 Temperature of test,
P = 4.00 ozf = 0.250 lbf or 1.112 N, 9.1.4 Direction of grain on specimen, and
l = 4.00 in. or 101.6 mm, 9.1.5 Modulus of elasticity in pounds-force per square inch
d = 0.1863 in. or 4.732 mm, or megapascals.
b = 0.5000 in. or 12.700 mm, and
t = 0.0301 in. or 0.765 mm. 10. Precision and Bias
Substituting the known values,
10.1 Precision—The precision of this test method was
E = (4 × 0.250 lbf × (4.00 in.)3)/0.1863 in. × 0.500 in. × (0.0301 in.)3)
performed in accordance with the test procedure and load
E = 25 194 029 psi. known to 60.04 % results in a 2-sigma measurement precision
of 61.8 %.
or
E = (4 × 1.112 N × (101.6 mm)3)/(4.732 mm × 12.700 mm × (0.765 mm)3) 10.2 Bias—Comparison to accepted reference values indi-
cates lack of bias.
E = 173 386 MPa.

9. Report 11. Keywords

9.1 The report shall include the following: 11.1 cantilever; loading rod; modulus of elasticity; thermo-
9.1.1 Type of thermostat metal, stat metal

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