New Family Of FBG Optical Sensors Featuring Zeus' PEEK Coating Now Available For Use In Harsh Environments

Technica enables strain, vibration, and temperature measurements in harsh environments to 260 Degrees Celsius using non-metallic explosion-proof and EMI immune sensors protected by Zeus’ PEEK coating for ruggedized Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBG).

Atlanta, GA and Singapore (PRWEB) - FBGs are reliable all-fiber optical components that have been used for making accurate and reliable temperature and strain measurements for over two decades. However, due to previous technical limitations, most applications in hot harsh environments were typically off limits. A new generation of T150 ruggedized Fiber Bragg Gratings are now available for operation in various metal prohibiting, corrosive, toxic, and chemically active environments to 260 Degrees Celsius. Protected by their Zeus PEEK outer layer, these new sensors are now solving measurement challenges in many existing and new markets. Optical sensors are widely used in industry and in research and development laboratories.

At its core, the T150 optical cable consists of an array of Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors. The original design of this cable eliminates the fragility typically associated with single layer coated fibers and enables significant field installation productivity improvements. Measurements can be made at one or more individual FBG points spaced at customer defined lengths. The sensing cable is designed to make handling and installation fast, easy and intuitive and is terminated with standard optical connectors. The T150 cable construction focuses on demanding projects that require stable operation over the long term.

While Technica now offers several standard T150 sensor configurations, the company is pleased to work with each customer to optimize its sensors for the specific applications under consideration. Proprietary and licensed technologies are used to ensure that each sensor has a stable optical core and a matching material composition and outer diameter for device protection that is well fit for the environment in which the sensor will be used.

“This new family of sensors is designed for harsh environments. The outer layer of the cable is a tight buffer, chemically inert, abrasion resistant PEEK polymer coat which protects the FBG sensors and ruggedizes the cable. Polyether Ether Ketone (PEEK) is an advanced material used for motor windings with one of the highest strength to weight ratios of any engineered polymer. A good alternative to aluminum, steel, and glass packaged sensors, the new T150 is the basis for a growing number of sensor configurations to address emerging industry needs” stated Andrei Csipkes, Chief Executive Officer of Technica.

Jason Fant, Global Market Manager of Zeus, Inc., added that “This new family of Zeus’ PEEK coating for ruggedized optical sensors is the successful result of a close technology and advanced materials supply chain cooperation between Zeus and Technica Optical Components. These exciting new specialized FBG sensors are already being delivered for deployments in energy, aviation, and various other applications”.

Click here for the T150 sensors datasheet. Click here for more on PEEK material properties.

Leveraging over 50 years of polymer extrusion experience, Zeus has become a world leader in building partnerships, products, and services for the benefit of customers around the world.

Technica is a leading developer, manufacturer, and provider of premium quality Fiber Bragg Grating sensors and FBG array sensors in acrylate, polyimide, gold, steel, GFRP, and now protected fibers featuring Zeus PEEK coating. The company also proudly licenses and produces individual OEM custom packaged sensors. Technica is headquartered in Atlanta, USA, with Advanced Technology and Manufacturing Centers in Singapore and Beijing, China.