Strain gauges are frequently used in mechanical engineering R&D projects to directly measure stresses generated by use.
What are strain gauges?
From automobiles and airplanes to bridges, buildings and many other structures around us, they are all constructed with materials and designs that have to endure their respective operating situations. Today, every time a new model of an airplane or automobile is introduced, the structure is designed to be lighter to attain faster running speed and less fuel consumption. The evolution in technology and design demands lighter and more efficient products.
All the while it’s paramount to ensure the safety of every product used is not compromised. Thus, the harmony between safety and economics is an extremely important factor in designing a structure. To design a structure which ensures the necessary strength while keeping such harmony, it is important to know the stress borne by each material part. Strain gauges are the most common sensing element to measure surface strain.
Kyowa Strain Gauges
Kyowa strain gauges are available for measurement of varied types of strain, from static strain to dynamic strain occurring at higher than 100 kHz as well as impact-initiated strain. Strain gauges are widely utilised not only in experiments and research but also for industrial measurement and control.
With over 50 years of experience Kyowa have continuously been at the forefront of gauges design and recently introduced the new KFGS general purpose gauge, said to be the world’s highest performance strain.
A variety of gauges available with a choice of resistance, size and features for all stress/strain applications can be found on our site.
General Purpose Strain Gauges
In pursuit of the world’s highest standard of quality, our strain gauges are available in a variety of gauge lengths and patterns for use in a wide range of applications. They use a polyimide resin base approximately 14 μm thick and offer superior flexibility.
They have excellent humidity resistance for use when measuring indoors and in the field.
Composite & Plastic Materials
Kyowa offer a variety of strain gauges for the measurement of stress on and within composite and plastic materials.
These strain gauges are self-temperature-compensation gauges (SELCOM® gauges) suitable for strain measurement of composite materials such as CFRP and GFRP. The special gauge ensures accurate measurements due to its pattern which minimizes the effect of self-heating due to gauge current and the effect of reinforcement of low-elasticity materials.
Extended Temperature
From a highly heat-resistant polyimide base to the use of NiCr alloy elements for excellent characteristics under low temperature, a variety of applications from -269º up to 950ºC can be measured. Thus, the KFL series gauges are suitable for strain measurement of tanks and vessels containing low-temperature liquids such as LNG and LPG. While our KFU foil gauges and encapsulated spot Weldable gauges work in the most hostile environments.
Ultra Small Strain
With a choice of gauge factor, resistance and size our range of semi-conductor strain gauges are suitable for a variety of applications where small levels of strain are expected. With options such as a half-bridge configuration on the KSPB, 10,000ohm resistance on the KSPH series or even Ultra-Linear options there is a Kyowa strain gauge to fit your requirements.
Call us now on: 01727 859373 for more information on our range of Strain Gauges.