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Jan. 17, 2026
Thermocouple scrap indeed contains platinum group metals, especially platinum and rhodium, two high-value elements. This article explores the classification of thermocouples and the industries where thermocouple scrap can be found.
What Types of the Thermocouples Are There?
Precious metal thermocouples mainly include the following specific models:
S-type (Platinum-Rhodium 10-Platinum)
Composition: The positive electrode is a platinum-rhodium 10 alloy (containing 10% rhodium and 90% platinum), and the negative electrode is pure platinum.
Uses: Long-term operating temperature up to 1300℃, short-term up to 1600℃, suitable for oxidizing and inert environments.
Features: High accuracy, stable physical and chemical properties, and high temperature measurement limit.
R-type (Platinum-Rhodium 13-Platinum)
Composition: The positive electrode is a platinum-rhodium 13 alloy (containing 13% rhodium and 87% platinum), and the negative electrode is pure platinum.
Uses: Long-term operating temperature up to 1300℃, short-term up to 1600℃, characterized by high accuracy, strong stability, and excellent oxidation resistance.
Features: Better stability than S-type.
B-type (Platinum-Rhodium 30-Platinum-Rhodium 6)
Composition: The positive electrode is a platinum-rhodium 30 alloy (containing 30% rhodium and 70% platinum), and the negative electrode is a platinum-rhodium 6 alloy (containing 6% rhodium and 94% platinum).
Uses: Long-term operating temperature up to 1600℃, short-term up to 1800℃, suitable for higher temperature environments.
Features: The temperature measurement limit can reach 1800℃ in the short term, with high measurement accuracy.
Where to Find the Thermocouple Wire Scrap?
Thermocouple recycling is mainly concentrated in these industries and equipment, whose scrap often contains high-value platinum group metals:
Metallurgy and Chemical Industry
Equipment: High-temperature furnaces, reactors, refining equipment
Reason: Platinum-rhodium thermocouples are in long-term contact with high-temperature corrosive environments, and the platinum-rhodium content still exceeds 80% after being scrapped. Aerospace
Equipment: Rocket engine test stands, spacecraft thermal control systems
Features: Type B thermocouples (platinum-rhodium 30 - platinum-rhodium 6) withstand temperatures up to 1800℃ and have extremely high recycling value.
Energy and Power
Equipment: Thermal power plant boilers, nuclear power plant heat exchangers
Data: A single generator unit replaces over 200 thermocouples annually.
The Other High-value Industries
Pharmaceuticals and Food: Sterilization equipment, fermentation tanks (Type S thermocouples (platinum-rhodium 10 - platinum))
Glass and Ceramics: Kiln temperature measurement (Type R thermocouples (platinum-rhodium 13 - platinum))
Laboratories: High-precision thermocouples for scientific research (such as Type S and Type R)
Huatuo - Your Reliable Global Buyer of Thermocouple Scrap Metals
Huatuo Company, through its professional business scope, mature precious metal recycling technology, and strict environmental compliance, provides professional recycling of thermocouple scrap. We are your reliable recycling partner.
If you have thermocouple scrap but are unsure of its recycling value, please contact our experts immediately. We provide free, professional sample testing and analysis, and can even cover the shipping costs of your samples, saving you time and effort and maximizing the value of your scrap.
Call Anytime: +86 189 3824 7050
Email: info@huatuometals.com
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