From sutures to water heaters, Thermax offers peace of mind.
Key Takeaways:
- Thermax irreversible temperature indicators are essential for ensuring that temperature-sensitive items such as food, medical supplies, and precision equipment are not exposed to temperatures that could compromise their integrity.
- These indicators utilize phase-change technology with specifically purified organic chemicals that change color when their melting points are exceeded. This change is permanent and acts as a historical record of temperature exposure.
- Thermax indicators are used widely across pharmaceuticals, food, energy, automotive, and mining industries. Common uses include process control, quality assurance, safety monitoring, and maintenance checks.
- Selection depends on specific needs such as the sensitivity of the product, typical temperature exposure ranges, and any regulatory requirements.
Every degree matters when using, storing, or transporting temperature-sensitive equipment, food, medical supplies, and precision equipment. You need irreversible evidence that products were handled properly to ensure safety and that everything works.
SpotSee®’s Thermax® temperature indicators play a pivotal role in maintaining product integrity across a myriad of industries. These specialized tools offer irreversible evidence of the highest temperature reached by the label. This is crucial for ensuring that sensitive items have not overheated or been exposed to sub-optimal temperatures during transportation and storage.
Thermax temperature indicators are designed for precision and ease of use, catering to a broad spectrum of industries from pharmaceuticals to food, energy generation, automotive, and mining. These easy-to-use self-adhesive labels have temperature-sensitive elements sealed between heat-resistant substrates with transparent windows. As its rated temperature is exceeded, each element changes color. The changes are irreversible, providing a temperature history of the monitored surface and a permanent record.
How Thermax Works
The temperature-sensitive elements in these self-adhesive indicators are phase-change, using the sharply defined melting points of a series of specially purified organic chemicals to give unique, high-precision, color change effects.
Each temperature element uses a different chemical compound and is made separately by applying a coating containing the chemical to a special absorptive paper substrate. When the rated temperature is exceeded, the chemical melts and is absorbed by the substrate, causing a permanent color change. Up to ten levels can be combined on a single label.
Thermax applications include:
- Process control
- Test and measurement
- Quality control
- Safety
- Warranty
- Maintenance
Specifications
- Temperature Range: 84°F to 554°F | 29°C to 290°C
- Accuracy:
- Less than 212°F is ±2°F
- Less than 100°C is ±1°C
- 212°F to 309°F is ±3°F
- 100°C to 154°C is ±1.5°C
- Greater than 309°F is ±7°F
- Greater than 154°C is ±4°C
- Silver to Black Color Change: Below 399°F / Below 204°C
- Orange to Black Color Change: Above 410°F / Above 210°C
The last black event is the highest temperature reached.
A Thermax Temperature Indicator for Every Purpose
Thermax temperature indicators are available as single-window or multi-window units. Single-window indicators change color when the temperature reaches a predetermined mark, which is suitable for monitoring a critical temperature threshold.
Multi-window indicators, however, show several temperature breach points, offering more complex data for scenarios where temperature fluctuations are particularly critical and varied.
Multi-window indicators include:
- Thermax Level 10 Strips: These self-adhesive strips with 10 temperature levels have a temperature range of 71°C (149°F) and 37°C (99°F) with eight increments at a suze if 2” x 0,7” (51mm x 18mm)
- Thermax Level 8 Strips are offered in multiple versions, and have a scale showing eight temperature levels at the same size as the Level 10 strips, with a temperature range of 65°C (149°F) and 37°C (99°F) with six increments between
- Thermax Level 6 Mini Strips are perfect for smaller equipment, are horizontal, and show temperature increments between 241°C (466°F) and 290°C (554°C).Thermax Level 5 Strips vertical strips, which are the same size as Level 10 and Level 8 strips, have a temperature range between 49°C (120°F) and 37°C (99°F) for items that have narrow temperature tolerances.
- Level 5 Clock Indicator: These circular indicators have a 0.55” (14mm) diameter with a range of 40°C (105°F) and 54°C (130°F)
- Thermax Level 4 Strips and Level 4 Micro Strips: Thermax Level 4 is 0.91″ x 1.77″ (23mm x 45mm), with a temperature range of 37° C (99°F) and 54°C (129°F). Micro strips are a mere 0.15” x 0.43” (4mm x 11mm) and have a temperature range of 49°C and 65°C.
- Thermax Encapsulated is a single temperature indicator that shows when the maximum temperature has been achieved: 34°C (93°F), with a size of 0.47” x 0.51” (12mm x 13mm)
Case Studies: Choosing the Right Thermax Solution
Selecting the appropriate temperature indicator involves understanding the specific temperature requirements of the product being monitored. Considerations include:
- The temperature sensitivity of the product
- The range of temperature exposure during transport, use, or storage
- Regulatory requirements
The complexity of the temperature monitoring needs should determine the choice between single-window and multi-window indicators. Let’s look at real-world use cases that show the broad range of uses for Thermax temperature indicators.
In the medical sector
Absorbable sutures (or dissolvable stitches) temporarily hold wound edges until they have healed enough to withstand normal stress. Natural processes break them down, and depending on the material, the process can be from ten days to eight weeks.
These sutures must be secured in packaging that keeps them sterile and in excellent condition. The integrity and strength of each suture must remain intact until it is in the surgeon’s hands. They also cannot be exposed to temperatures above 40ºC as the material’s structure will start to break down.
, Thermax 40°C Indicators, which meet stringent World Health Organization standards, are trusted by leading medical companies to monitor temperature exposure and preserve the quality of these essential medical supplies.
In engineering
A leading, independent manufacturer of stainless steel hot water tanks and pressure vessels in Europe produces hot water tanks with a capacity of up to 1000 liters. The temperature aspect is very important – if the temperature has been set too high the tank can corrode.
They needed a system to check that the water temperature had not exceeded the limits. To that end, each tank is fitted with an irreversible Thermax Level 4 Range C, a quality and warranty control measure.
In mining
To comply with regulatory legislation, miners in South Africa must carry oxygen supply apparatus in case of an emergency. Rescuers needed a way to know if the rescue packs had been exposed to extreme temperatures that would cause failure of the apparatus.
They chose Thermax Encapsulated with temperature sensitivities of 54ºC, 60ºC, 71ºC, and 104ºC to quickly see if a self-rescue pack has triggered or suffered overheating exposure.
Find Your Own Thermax Temperature Monitoring Solution
Thermax irreversible temperature indicators by SpotSee offer reliable, simple-to-use solutions for various temperature monitoring challenges across numerous sectors. Whether ensuring the efficacy of medical supplies or the safety of miners, Thermax provides the tools necessary for maintaining compliance and achieving peace of mind.
Businesses seeking to enhance their temperature monitoring processes should explore the full range of Thermax products and take a step toward heightened quality assurance and operational efficiency. Invest in Thermax indicators to safeguard your critical temperature-sensitive products today. Just contact our sales team.
