Dilatometers are used for Thermal Dilatometer Analysis (TDA), often called “dilatometry” which measures the dimensional change of a material (ceramics, glasses, metals, composites, carbon/graphite, minerals, polymers, and others) as a function of temperature. A standard dilatometer test determines both reversible and irreversible changes in length (expansion and shrinkage) during heating and cooling, and pinpoints where reactions occur that cause expansion or contraction. A dilatometer is used to determine Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE), softening point, glass transition temperature, curie point, crystalline transformation, phase transition, shrinkage, warping, bloating, sintering rate, isothermal creep, and stress relaxation. With a dilatometer, test samples are quickly and easily measured for determining firing ranges and firing schedules, measuring thermal expansion ranges for glaze fits, and measuring thermal expansion ranges for R&D, QC or product certification.

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Dilatometer Model	DIL 2010 STD	DIL 2012 STD	DIL 2016 STD	DIL 2010 C	DIL 2010 B
Temperature Range	RT to 1,000°C	RT to 1,200°C	RT to 1,600°C	RT to 1,000°C or -170°C to +500°C	RT to 1,000°C
Furnace	Kanthal Wire	Kanthal Wire	Silicon Carbide	Nichrome Wire or Cryogenic Chamber	Kanthal Wire
Isothermal Zone for a 1″ Sample	±1.5	±1.5°C	±1.5°C	±2.0°C	±2.5°C
Thermocouple	Type “S”	Type “S”	Type “S”	Type “N”	Type “N”
Sample Holder and Probe Rod	Fused Quartz	High Alumina Optional: Fused Quartz	High Alumina Optional: Fused Quartz	Fused Quartz	Fused Quartz
Sample Size (maximum)	50 mm long by 20 mm diameter	50 mm long by 20 mm diameter	50 mm long by 20 mm diameter	50 mm long by 10 mm diameter	50 mm long by 20 mm diameter
LVDT Linear Range	±0.100 inch or ±100 μ-inches or ±100,000 nano-inches (±2.54 mm or ±2,540 μm or ±2,540,000 nm)
LVDT Resolution	Infinite – <0.1 nanometer
Practical Resolution	0.0000009 inch or 0.0009 micro-inch or 0.9 nano-inch ( 0.000022 mm or 0.022 μm or 22.8 nm)
Practical PLC Resolution (for a 1″ Sample)	0.00009%
Reproducibility	Limited by sample preparation and ability to reproduce dilatometer testing conditions
Practical Reproducibility Range	± 0.004 PLC (± 1 μm / ± 40 μ-inches)	± 0.008 PLC (± 2 μm / ± 80 μ-inches)	± 0.008 PLC (± 2 μm / ± 80 μ-inches)	± 0.004 PLC (± 1 μm / ± 40 μ-inches)	± 0.008 PLC (± 2 μm / ± 80 μ-inches)
Contact Load	Adjustable 4 to 100 grams (or more)	Adjustable 4 to 100 grams (or more)	Adjustable 4 to 100 grams (or more)	Adjustable 4 to 100 grams (or more)	Fixed – 113 grams (approximately)
Temperature Control	Orton Controller Board: PID control, User Programmable, 20-segment maximum, and Automatic Melting Point Protection
Controller Heating Rates	Heating Rates from 0.1 to 999°C/minute at 0.1°C/minute increments
Furnace Heating Rates	0.1°C/minute to 120°C/minute	0.1°C/minute to 120°C/minute	0.1°C/minute to 185°C/minute (average 50°C/minute)	0.1°C/minute to 10°C/minute	0.1°C/minute to 12°C/minute
Contact Load	Adjustable 4 to 100 grams (or more)	Adjustable 4 to 100 grams (or more)	Adjustable 4 to 100 grams (or more)	Adjustable 4 to 100 grams (or more)	Fixed – 113 grams
Data Acquisition	Data stored in Orton Controller Board at 1°C increments. Data can be downloaded manually or via PC Software. Data saved until next test overwrites it.
Data Analysis	Orton Dilatometer Software Version 7.x.xx is included. 1
Computer Interface	RS232 Cable included – User can attached USB converter to RS232 cable
Factory Calibration	All dilatometer systems are calibrated with 1″ rod of high purity platinum. The Cryogenic system is calibrated with a platinum rod and a copper rod. Calibration with a 2″ rod is available upon request.
Secondary Calibration Sample	All systems are shipped a 1″ rod of 99.8% high purity, polycrystalline high alumina. A 2″ rod can be substituted upon request.
Calibration Sample	Platinum Rod is available as an Option	Platinum Rod is available as an Option	Platinum Rod is available as an Option	1″ copper standard is included. Platinum Rod is available as an Option	Platinum Rod is available as an Option
Water Cooled Bulkhead (circulation system not included)	Optional	Optional	Optional	Optional
Measuring Dilatometer Head Cover	(included with a controlled atmosphere option)	(included with a controlled atmosphere option)	(included with a controlled atmosphere option)	Included
Controlled Inert Atmosphere	Available option			Included
Controlled Reactive Atmosphere	Available option
Bench-top Footprint (open) Length x Depth x Height	49″ x 14″ x 17″ (1,250 x 360 x 430 mm)	49″ x 14″ x 17″ (1,250 x 360 x 430 mm)	49″ x 14″ x 17″ (1,250 x 360 x 430 mm)	49″ x 14″ x 24″ (1,250 x 360 x 600 mm)	28″ x 14″ x 15″ (710 x 360 x 380 mm)
Transformer Footprint	not Required	not Required	14.5″ x 9.25″ x 9.62″ (365 x 230 x 245 mm)	not Required	not Required
Power Requirements	120 or 240VAC, 10 A, 50/60 Hz	120 or 240VAC, 10 A, 50/60 Hz	240 VAC, 20 A, 50/60 Hz	120 or 240VAC, 10 A, 50/60 Hz	120 or 240VAC, 10 A, 50/60 Hz

Dilatometer descriptions and specifications contained in this table are typical values. Descriptions and specifications are subject to change without notice. 

¹(Requires English Language Version of Windows OS)

 Horizontal Dilatometer

The main advantage of the horizontal system is the uniform temperature zone for the sample. Most tests are performed with a horizontal unit.

The sample is positioned between the end of the sample holder and the probe rod. After positioning the sample in the sample holder, the furnace is moved horizontally to cover the sample and sample holder.

The probe rod extends from the end of the sample, through the sample holder tube, and connects to the displacement sensor assembly outside the furnace. The probe rod is under load outside the furnace to keep it in constant contact with the sample, even when shrinking.

Vertical Dilatometer

For larger samples, such as refractories and structural clay bodies, a vertical dilatometer is used. The sample is placed into the furnace and the vertical probe rod is lowered to contact the sample. The furnace is heated according to the pre- programmed thermal cycle. As the sample temperature changes, the sample expands, pushing up on the probe rod, or shrinks, pulling away from the probe rod. The probe rod is vertically suspended and counterweighted so that gravity keeps it in constant contact with the sample. The probe rod transmits the amount of sample movement to the electronic displacement sensor located overhead and outside the furnace.

Computer Analysis

Every Orton dilatometer is supplied with the software to add to the user’s PC in order to acquire, save and analyze the data generated. The Orton Dilatometer Software is written for Windows based personal computers. It can be used to monitor the test in real time, or can be used to examine the test data after the run. The software imports the data through the RS232 interface (USB interface is available), and stores it on the hard drive for immediate or post-testing analysis.

Orton Dilatometer Data Acquisition and Analysis Software Version 5.2.1 is available as a free downloade upgrade for all previous Orton Dilatometers equipped with the Orton Windows software Versions 5.

Note:  This software upgrade will NOT work if you are currently using the DOS version of Orton software.  End Users who are operating with DOS software Version 1.4 or earlier must purchase a Windows upgrade installation software.

Note: This software upgrade will work only for End User software versions that are Version 5.0.0 to 5.2.0, New instruments supplied with Labview based software Version 7.0.0 or later are not compatible with this software update.

After you place the new executable into the same location, the user should manually create a shortcut to this file so it can be opened easily. Or you can assign a new file name to the original ORTON.EXE file and rename this new executable file as ORTON.EXE

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