11^TM^ United States Department of Commerce

I Ih3I National Institute of Standards and Technology

NIST Special Publication 819

A Procedure for the Effective

Recalihration of Liquid-in-Glass

Thermometers

Jacquelyn A, Wise

NAT L INST. OF STAND S TECH R.I.C.

A111D3 b33137

NIST

PUBLICATiONS

100

.U57

#819

1991

QUOD

NIST Special Publication 819

A Procedure for the Effective

Recalibration of Liquid-in-Glass

Thermometers

Jacquelyn A. Wise

Process Measurements Division

Technology Services

National Institute of Standards and Technology

Gaithersburg, MD 20899

August 1991

\

U.S. Department of Commerce

Robert A. Mosbacher, Secretary

National Institute of Standards and Technology

John W. Lyons, Director
National Institute of Standards

and Technology

Special Publication 819

Natl. Inst. Stand. Technol.

Spec. Publ. 819

17 pages (Aug. 1991)

CODEN: NSPUE2

U.S. Government Printing Office

Washington: 1991

For sale by the Superintendent

of Documents

U.S. Government Printing Office

Washington, DC 20402
CONTENTS

Page

1. Introduction 1

2. Recalibrating Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers - Method I 3

3. Recalibration of Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers - Method II 6

4. Preparing an Ice Bath 7

5. Reading Thermometers in the Ice Bath 9

6. Changing Liquid-in-Glass Thermometer Corrections

When the International Temperature Scale Changes 10

7. Conclusion 13

8. References 13

iii

A Procedure for the Effective Recalibration

of Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers

High quality Hquid-in-glass thermometers require only one complete calibration in their

lifetime and it is possible to avoid the usual requirement for complete recalibration of the

instrument by the recalibration of a single previously calibrated temperature. The need for

recalibration of properly manufactured liquid-in-glass thermometers is due to the gradual

relaxation of residual mechanical strains in the glass that have a significant effect on the

volume of the bulb. The recalibration of a single point provides a reliable indication of the

effect of this change in volume and provides a means for the accurate adjustment of the

remainder of the scale.

This paper describes a procedure for the single temperature recalibration of liquid-in-glass

thermometers that can be performed in the user's laboratory and the subsequent adjustment

of the entire scale. The adjustment of the scale that is required by the recent introduction

of the new International Temperature Scale (ITS-90) [1,2] is also described.

Key words: bulb-volume change; ice bath; ice point; ITS-90; liquid-in-glass thermometer;

recalibration; thermometer.

1. Introduction

Like all temperature measuring devices, a liquid-in-glass thermometer may indicate different

values at a given temperature (such as the ice point, at 0 °C) over a period of time and it

will require local recalibration. These different values are due to permanent changes that

occur in the volume of the bulb (fig. 1) as a result of relaxation effects in the glass.

(Temporary bulb-volume changes occur when the thermometer is heated, but the bulb

contracts to or near the original volume within 72 hours after cooling to room temperature.

This will be discussed in Sections 2 and 3.) If the volume of the bulb expands, the meniscus

of the mercury column will be lower when the thermometer is returned to some given

temperature. If the volume of the bulb contracts, the meniscus will be higher. Changes also

occur in the volume of the capillary, but they are usually too small to be of concern and

would be most noticeable in thermometers used at high temperatures (above 200 °C)

and over a long period of time.

Because long term changes in the thermometer readings at a given temperature are a direct

result of changes in the bulb volume, it is only necessary to determine the magnitude of the

change on the thermometer scale in order to recalibrate it. This is done by checking at any

one of the temperatures that was used as a calibration point. The point used most often is

1
MENISCUS

BULB STEM

/ /

N il III

CONTRACTION

CHAMBER

EXPANSION

CHAMBER

7

| |||||| M ll| MM |l M l|^^

AUXILIARY SCALE IMMERSION LINE MAIN SCALE

Fig. 1. Principal features of a solid-stem liquid-in-glass thermometer.

Fig. 2. Recalibration plot of corrections versus temperatures for a given liquid-in-glass

thermometer. Lines connect calibration points to aid in interpolation between

points.
the ice point, 0 °C (32 °F). It is considered a "fixed point" in liquid-in-glass thermometry

and it can be easily reproduced in any laboratory with an uncertainty of approximately

±0.005 °C. (See Sections 4 and 5 for a description of the preparation and use of an ice

bath.) Any other calibration point can be used, but in that case another temperature

standard and a constant-temperature stirred-liquid calibration bath is necessary to determine

the change in correction. Any change seen at the one point that is checked is reflected in

the other calibration points by the same amount and in the same direction.

The shape of a corrections versus temperatures plot for a given liquid-in-glass thermometer

is not affected by the bulb volume changes that lead to the recalibration requirement. The

only change is a shift along the ordinate, as shown in figure 2.

Two methods are discussed for the recalibration of liquid-in-glass thermometers.

2. Recalibrating Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers - Method I

Before the bulb-volume change is determined by observing the scale reading at the ice point

or at another calibration temperature, the thermometer must remain at room temperature

for 72 hours. This is necessary because a temporary change will occur in the volume of the

bulb if the thermometer is heated beyond room temperature. This temporary expansion of

the bulb will introduce an error in the reading, since most thermometers are initially

calibrated by starting at the lowest temperature (usually 0 °C) and proceeding to the higher

temperatures. This heating of the thermometer from the lowest point to the highest point

will cause gradual expansion of the bulb.

For the following examples, the ice point is used as the recalibration point, since, in

practice, it is the one most often used in recalibrations. After the thermometer has been at

room temperature for 72 hours, an ice point is measured by placing the thermometer in an

ice bath as described in Section 5. The ice-point reading is recorded (from which the icepoint correction is calculated) and compared to the one that was determined the last time

the thermometer was calibrated or recalibrated. If the ice-point reading is found to be

higher or lower then the previous reading, all other readings will be higher or lower,

respectively, by the same amount. Examples are given in table 1.

The interval of recalibration of a liquid-in-glass thermometer depends on several factors.

If a thermometer has a large bulb, is used at high temperatures (exceeding 200 °C), or is

new, it is expected that the greatest change will be seen. Perhaps initially, a thermometer

3
Table 1. Recalibration of liquid-in-glass thermometers using the ice point

Calibration

Point

0.00 °C

50.00

100.00

150.00

200.00

Original

Correction

-0.05 °C

-I- .10

-I- .22

+ .07

- .18

New Correction

For Ice-Point Change

-0.10 °C

-f- .05

+ .17

+ .02

- .23

Calibration Original New Correction

Point Correction For Ice-Point Change

-100.00 °C 0.00 °C +0.10 °C

- 50.00 - .03 + .07

0.00 - .10 .00

50.00 + .15 + .25

100.00 + .23 + .33

should be recalibrated once a month. If it is seen that the ice point shows little change over

a period of time, the recalibration interval can be increased to every two months. If the ice

point continues to indicate a stable bulb, or within an acceptable uncertainty, the

recalibration interval can be extended to once or twice a year. This is recommended as the

minimum interval between calibration checks.

Occasionally, a customer asks for a new full-range calibration or a new full-range calibration

is done to prove that the above recalibration method is valid. In this regard, three different

types of thermometers were completely recalibrated at NIST. The data obtained at every

calibration point are given in table 2. Note how the new results compare with the original

corrections that were adjusted according to the change in the ice-point reading or in one of

the other calibration point readings.

The results calculated for the change in the ice point or in another calibration point must

agree with the new values to within the uncertainty of the thermometer as given in tables

12 through 18 of SP 250-23, Liquid-in-Glass Thermometer Calibration Service [3], Since a

calorimetric thermometer is used to determine temperature differences, the uncertainty of

a temperature interval for the calorimetric thermometer given in table 2 is 0.01 °C. For the

ASTM 8F thermometer the uncertainty is 1 °F. (The thermometer used in the example was

first calibrated over 40 years ago and the increasingly large differences between the last two

4
Table 2. Verification of the recalibration process

Calorimetric Thermometer

Range: +19 to +35 "C in 0.02 °C Graduations

Thermometer Original Correction Due to New Calibra

Reading Correction Change In 19.500 °C tion Results

(ITS-90) Point (ITS-90)

19.500 ''C -0.024 °C -0.052 °C -0.052 °C

21.000 - .039 - .067 - .064

22.500 - .038 - .066 - .067

24.000 - .035 - .063 - .067

- .042 - .070 - .U/u

27.000 - .038 - .066 - .UOO

28.500 - .044 - .072 - .069

30.000 - .042 - .070 - .065

31.500 - .043 - .071 - .070

33.000 - .047 - .075 - .073

34.500 - .047 - .075 - .071

ASTM 8F Total Immersion Thermometer

Range: +30 to +760 °F in 2.0 T Graduations

Thermometer Original Correction Due To New CalibraReading Correction Change In Ice tion Results

(ITS-90) Point

32.0 T 0.0 °F -0.4 °F -0.4 °F

.0 - .4 - .D 200.0 + .3 - .1 - ,J

300.0 -.3 - .7 - .7

400.0 - .4 - .8 -1.4

500.0 - .3 -.7 -1.2

600.0 - .3 -.7 -1.5

700.0 - .3 - .7 -1.6

Kinematic Viscosity Thermometer

Range: +204 to +220 °F in 0.1 °F Graduations

Thermometer Original Correction Due To New CalibraReading Correction Change In Ice tion Results

(ITS-90) Point (ITS-90)

31.978 °F +0.022 T +0.200 T +0.200 T

205.000 - .039 + .139 + .143

208.000 - .054 + .124 + .130

210.000 - .057 + .121 + .128

212.000 - .067 + .111 + .112

218.000 - .054 + .124 + .129

5
columns could be a result of capillary changes over these years.) The uncertainty for the

kinematic viscosity thermometer is 0.04 °F.

This method of recalibrating a liquid-in-glass thermometer has been used for over 60 years

at the National Bureau of Standards (NBS), now the National Institute of Standards and

Technology (NIST). When original corrections have been adjusted for changes in the ice

point (or other calibration point), one other point on the scale was recalibrated to verify that

the assumption was valid. In all cases, the new correction at the second calibration point

agreed with the correction obtained from the change in the ice point within the uncertainty

of the thermometer.

3. Recalibration of Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers - Method II

The recalibration method described above is used when the standard liquid-in-glass

thermometer is needed only once or twice a week and the thermometer is used starting from

the lowest temperature point and going to the highest temperature points and not used

again for 72 hours. Many times, however, a standard liquid-in-glass thermometer is needed

every day and at numerous temperatures. Temporary changes that occur in the bulb volume

make using the thermometer at any time impossible if corrections generated as in Section

2 are to be used. Fortunately, there is a way to compensate for temporary bulb-volume

change. This change is known as the ice-point depression because the expanding bulb

volume causes the ice-point reading to decrease. After the thermometer has remained at

room temperature for 72 hours, observe the scale reading at the ice-point and change the

corrections as described in Section 2. The thermometer is then heated to within one scale

division of the next higher calibration temperature, removed from the bath, cooled, and

inserted in an ice bath. The ice-point reading is observed and recorded. This is repeated at

all of the calibration points in ascending order. The ice-point reading (not correction) is then added to the current correction at each calibration point, producing what is called an

"adjusted set of scale corrections". An example of how to establish a set of adjusted-scale

corrections is given in table 3.

Table 3 represents corrections at the calibration points only if the thermometer reads 0 °C

at the ice point. Usually, this will not be the case. Therefore, after using the thermometer

to measure a temperature, the scale reading at the ice point must be observed. The total

correction to be applied to the thermometer reading will be equal to the adjusted-scale

correction plus the ice-point correction (not reading) determined after the thermometer was

used.

As an example, use a thermometer at 25 °C, then measure and record its reading at the ice

point. Suppose the thermometer read 25.00 °C in the medium and -0.20 °C at the ice point.

Add the interpolated value of the adjusted-scale correction (-0.01 °C) at 25 °C to the

6
Table 3. Establishing adjusted-scale corrections

Calibration

Point

Current

Correction

Ice-Point Reading

After Heating to

Calibration Point

Adjusted-Scale

Correction

0.00 °C +0.08 °C -0.08 °C 0.00 °C

20.00

40.00

60.00

80.00

100.00

+ .11

+ .02

+ .07

+ .10

+ .06

- .10

- .10

- .11

- .12

- .12

+ .01

- .08

- .04

- .02

- .06

ice-point correction (+0.20 °C). This gives the total correction that is to be added to the

thermometer reading of 25.00 °C. The example is shown below:

Once adjusted-scale corrections have been established, the recalibration of a liquid-in-glass

thermometer, as described in Section 2, never has to be done. Any permanent or temporary

changes that occur in the volume of the bulb will be reflected in the ice-point reading

observed after the thermometer is used. The standard liquid-in-glass thermometer can be

used to determine the temperature of a medium at any time and at any temperature in its

range as long as the ice-point reading is observed afterwards. If the thermometer is used

at temperatures that are close together, it will not be necessary to observe the ice-point

reading after every temperature. Generally, ice-point readings are measured every 200 scale

divisions (every 20 °C on a thermometer graduated in intervals of 0.1 °C) and values

between are determined by interpolation.

4. Preparing an Ice Bath

Since the ice bath is so important in the recalibration and use of liquid-in-glass

thermometers, a discussion will be given of its preparation. A new ice bath should be made

every day it is needed.

An ice bath consists of a dewar flask (to prevent excessive melting of the ice throughout the

day) mounted on an appropriate stand, a clip to hold the thermometer in the ice, and a 10

Thermometer reading

Ice-point correction taken after 25 °C

Adjusted-scale correction at 25 °C

Temperature of bath medium

25.00 °C

+.20

-.01

25.19 °C

7
power telescope, with which to read the thermometer, mounted perpendicularly to the clip.

A siphon tube is placed at the bottom of the flask to remove excess water that will be

produced by melting of the ice. A device used to gently tap the thermometer before reading

is placed near the bath. An example of an ice bath used at NIST is shown as figure 3.

Fig. 3. Typical ice bath used at NIST.

The ice, from which to prepare the ice bath, can be made from distilled water or it can be

the clear portion of commercially-available ice, which is frozen from the outside inward,

leaving the impurities in the center. The ice is shaved to the consistency of that used in a

"snow cone", with particles of 2 to 5 mm in diameter. The ice is placed in the flask with

distilled water and packed firmly. After approximately 15 to 30 minutes, excess water,

resulting from the melting of the ice, is siphoned from the flask and ice is added to replace

that which has melted. The ice bath is ready to use when it has set for 15 to 30 minutes,

no ice is floating in the flask, and there is no excess water on the surface of the ice. Put as much ice in the flask as possible and fill the crevices with distilled water. Throughout the

day, replace excess water with ice.

8
Fig. 4. Thermometer properly placed in an ice bath.

5. Reading Thermometers in the Ice Bath

An ice-point reading is observed on a thermometer by inserting the thermometer in an ice

bath that has been prepared as described in Section 4. The thermometer should be cleaned

before being inserted into the ice and the operator's hands should be freshly washed or

plastic gloves worn. This is necessary to prevent foreign material, especially salt from the

hands, from being introduced into the ice bath. The bath must be kept free from

contaminates. If the thermometer is rinsed before being inserted into the ice, always use

distilled water at room temperature or colder, since warm water will expand the bulb and

give an erroneous ice-point reading.

The ice at the center of the bath is loosened with an object such as a clean glass rod to a

depth approximately equal to the thermometer's immersion depth. Gently place the

thermometer through the holder and into the region of loosened ice. If the thermometer

touches a firm surface before it is immersed to the immersion line or 0 °C mark, then

remove the thermometer and loosen the ice further down into the bath to permit the

thermometer to be immersed to the proper depth. If the immersion line or 0 °C mark on

the thermometer passes below the surface of the bath before resting on a firm foundation,

remove the thermometer, repack the ice, and loosen the ice to the correct depth. After the

thermometer is properly immersed and perpendicular to the telescope, firmly pack the ice

around the thermometer. When the thermometer is resting on a solid section of ice in the

9
bath and cannot be immersed further, when it is perpendicular to the telescope, and when

ice is firmly packed to the immersion line or one scale division below the 0 "C mark, the

thermometer is ready to be read (see figure 4).

The thermometer should remain in the ice bath for approximately one to two minutes.

(Thermometers using an organic liquid instead of mercury as the thermometric fluid will

require approximately 15 minutes, because the organic fluid tends to cling to the wall of the

capillary.) When stability is reached (the meniscus stops moving), gently tap the

thermometer to free the mercury meniscus (which can sometimes stick) and record the

ice-point reading.

6. Changing Liquid-in-Glass Thermometer Corrections When the International

Temperature Scale Changes

The two methods described above give personnel in a laboratory a way of keeping

liquid-in-glass thermometer standards in calibration. However, what if the temperature scale

changes, as it did in 1990? Does the thermometer have to be sent to a calibration

laboratory to be completely recalibrated? The answer is no. Since the change in the

temperature scale involves a numerical change, it is only necessary to algebraically add the

difference between the two scales to a current set of corrections or the adjusted-scale

corrections.

The numerical differences between ITS-90 [1] and IPTS-68 [4] at temperatures in the range

of liquid-in-glass thermometry are given in table 4 [5].

An example of how the corrections for a liquid-in-glass thermometer can be updated to give

a calibration on the ITS-90 is given in table 5, using data from one of the thermometers

described in Section 2.

If the liquid-in-glass thermometer has adjusted-scale corrections, the data would be handled

as shown in table 6.

The process is more involved if a Fahrenheit-scale thermometer is used as a standard. An

example showing how to convert corrections from the IPTS-68 scale to the ITS-90 scale for

a Fahrenheit-scale thermometer is given in table 7.

10
Table 4. tgo - tgg/ °C corrections

(tgo - tee)/ °C

0 -10 -?0 -30 -40 -SO -ow 70 80 QO

1 nn U.UlJ U.UiJ n 01/1 U.U14 U.UiZ U.UlU U.LKJo U.UUo

0 0.000 0.002 0.004 0.006 0.008 0.009 0.010 0.011 0.012 0.012

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

0 0.000 -0.002 -0.005 -0.007 -0.010 -0.013 -0.016 -0.018 -0.021 -0.024

100 -0.026 -0.028 -0.030 -0.032 -0.034 -0.036 -0.037 -0.038 -0.039 -0.039

200 -0.040 -0.040 -0.040 -0.040 -0.040 -0.040 -0.040 -0.039 -0.039 -0.039

300 -0.039 -0.039 -0.039 -0.040 -0.040 -0.041 -0.042 -0.043 -0.045 -0.046

400 -0.048 -0.051 -0.053 -0.056 -0.059 -0.062 -0.065 -0.068 -0.072 -0.075

500 -0.079 -0.083 -0.087 -0.090 -0.094 -0.098 -0.101 -0.105 -0.108 -0.112

Table 5. Changing current corrections for international temperature scale changes

Calibration

Point

-100.00 °C

- 50.00

0.00

50.00

100.00

Current

Correction

(IPTS-68)

+0.10 °C

+ .07

.00

+ .25

+ .33

Difference Between

ITS-90 and IPTS-68

(From table 4)

+0.01 °C

+ .01

.00

- .01

- .03

Correction

(ITS-90)

+0.11 °C

+ .08

.00

+ .24

+ .30

11
Table 6. Changing adjusted-scale corrections for international temperature scale changes

Calibration

Point

0.00 °C

20.00

40.00

60.00

80.00

100.00

Adjusted-Scale

Correction

(IPTS-68)

0.00 "C

+ .01

- .08

- .04

- .02

- .06

Difference Between

ITS-90 and IPTS-68

(From table 4)

0.00 °C

.00

- .01

- .02

- .02

- .03

Adjusted-Scale

Correction

(ITS-90)

0.00 °C

+ .01

- .09

- .06

- .04

- .09

Table 7. Changing adjusted-scale corrections of a Fahrenheit-scale thermometer for

international temperature scale changes

Calibration

Point

-50.00 °F

-10.00

32.00

70.00

120.00

Adjusted-Scale

Correction

(IPTS-68)

+0.0S °F

- .11

.00

+ .23

- .02

Difference Between

ITS-90 and IPTS-68

(Based on table 4)*

+0.02 °F

+ .01

.00

- .01

- .02

Adjusted-Scale

Correction

(ITS-90)

+0.10 °F

- .10

.00

+ .22

- .04

* To find the difference (tgj °C - X^J °C) in degrees Fahrenheit from table 4, it is necessary

first to find the Celsius equivalent of the Fahrenheit temperature. As an example, 120 °F

is equal to 48.89 °C. The {iJ^C - Xj°C) difference at 48.89 °C, determined by

interpolation, is -0.013 °C. The interpolated difference on the Celsius scale must be

converted to the Fahrenheit scale by multiplying by 9/5. Therefore, the difference {i^J °C

- tgg/ °C) is -0,02 °F. This value is algebraically added to the IPTS-68 adjusted-scale

correction at 120 °F to get the adjusted-scale correction on the ITS-90. The same

procedure is followed at the other calibration points.

12
7. Conclusion

Method I, described in Section 2, for recalibrating liquid-in-glass thermometers has been

used for many years in laboratories throughout the world. It is intended that this paper be

a guide to lead laboratory personnel through the proper procedure for recalibrating

liquid-in-glass thermometers that are used as standards. Because the procedure is not

difficult and the method has been proven to be valid, the Liquid-in-Glass Thermometer

Calibration Laboratory at NIST will cease single temperature recalibration service for

customer's liquid-in-glass thermometers as of January 1, 1992. NIST will continue to

provide complete calibration of liquid-in-glass thermometers, however, and will also offer

a complete calibration of previously-calibrated thermometers when requested.

8. References

[1] Preston-Thomas, H., The International Temperature Scale of 1990 (ITS-90),

Metrologia 27, 3-10 (1990); Metrologia 27, 107 (1990).

[2] Mangum, B. W., Furukawa, G. T., Guidelines for Realizing the International

Temperature Scale of 1990 (ITS-90), Natl. Inst. Stand. Technol., TN 1265 (1990).

[3] Wise, J. A., Liquid-in-Glass Thermometer Calibration Service, Natl. Inst. Stand.

Technol., SP 250-23 (1988).

[4] The International Practical Temperature Scale of 1968, Metrologia 5, 35 (1969).

[5] Mangum, B. W., Report on The 17th Session of The Consultative Committee on

Thermometry, J. Res. Natl. Inst. Stand. Technol. 95, 69 (1990).

13

NIST-114A

(REV. 3-89)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY

BIBLIOGRAPHIC DATA SHEET

1. PUBUCATION OR REPORT NUMBER

NIST/SP-819

2. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NUMBER

3. PUBUCATION DATE

August 1991

\A. TITLE AND SUBTITLE ^ p^^cedure for the Effective

Recalibration of Liquid-ln-Glass Thermometers

5. AUTHOR(S)

Jacquelyn A. Wise

6. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION (IF JOINT OR OTHER THAN NIST, SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY

GAITHERSBURG, MD 20899

7. CONTRACT/GRANT NUMBER

8. TYPE OF REPORT AND PERIOD COVERED

Final

9. SPONSORING ORGANIZATION NAME AND COMPLETE ADDRESS (STREET, UTY, STATE, ZIP)

Same as Item #6

10. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES

I DOCUMENT DESCRIBES A COMPUTER PROGRAM; SF-18S, FIPS SOFTWARE SUMMARY, IS ATTACHED.

11. ABSTRACT (A 200-WORD OR LESS FACTUAL SUMMARY OF MOST SIGNIFICANT INFORMATION. IF DOCUMENT INCLUDES A SIGNIFICANT BIBUOGRAPHY OR

UTERATURE SURVEY, MENTION IT HERE.)

High quality liquid-in-glass thermometers require only one complete calibration in their

lifetime and it is possible to avoid the usual requirement for complete recalibration of the

instrument by the recalibration of a single previously calibrated temperature. The need for

recalibration of properly manufactured liquid-in-glass thermometers is due to the gradual

relaxation of residual mechanical strains in the glass that have a significant effect on the

volume of the bulb. The recalibration of a single point provides a reliable indication of the

effect of this change in volume and provides a means for the accurate adjustment of the

remainder of the scale.

This paper describes a procedure for the single temperature recalibration of liquid-in-glass

thermometers that can be performed in the user's laboratory and the subsequent adjustment

of the entire scale. The adjustment of the scale that is required by the recent introduction

of the new International Temperature Scale (ITS-90) [1,2] is also described.

12. KEY WORDS (6 TO 12 ENTRIES; ALPHABETICAL ORDER; CAPITAUZE ONLY PROPER NAMES; AND SEPARATE KEY WORDS BY SEMICOLONS)

bulb-volume change; ice bath; ice point; lTS-90; liquid-in-glass thermometers;

recalibration. thermometer

13. AVAILABIUTY

UNUMITEO

FOR OFFICIAL DISTRIBUTION. DO NOT RELEASE TO NATIONAL TECHNICAL INFORMATION SERVICE (NTIS).

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ORDER FROM SUPERINTENDENT OF DOCUMENTS, U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE,

WASHINGTON, DC 20402. ORDER FROM NATIONAL TECHNICAL INFORMATION SERVICE (NTIS), SPRINGFIELD, VA 22161.

14. NUMBER OF PRINTED PAGES

17

15. PRICE

ELECTRONIC FORM * U.S. G.P.O. :1991-281-557:40U4A

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under a worldwide program coordinated by NIST under the authority of the National Standard

Data Act (Public Law 90-396). NOTE: The Journal of Physical and Chemical Reference Data

(JPCRD) is published bi-monthly for NIST by the American Chemical Society (ACS) and the

American Institute of Physics (AIP). Subscriptions, reprints, and supplements are available from

ACS, 1155 Sixteenth St., NW., Washington, DC 20056.

Building Science Series — Disseminates technical information developed at the Institute on building

materials, components, systems, and whole structures. The series presents research results, test methods, and performance criteria related to the structural and environmental functions and the

durability and safety characteristics of building elements and systems.

Technical Notes — Studies or reports which are complete in themselves but restrictive in their

treatment of a subject. Analogous to monographs but not so comprehensive in scope or definitive

in treatment of the subject area. Often serve as a vehicle for final reports of work performed at NIST under the sponsorship of other government agencies.

Voluntary Product Standards — Developed under procedures published by the Department of

Commerce in Part 10, Title 15, of the Code of Federal Regulations. The standards establish

nationally recognized requirements for products, and provide all concerned interests with a basis

for common understanding of the characteristics of the products. NIST administers this program

as a supplement to the activities of the private sector standardizing organizations.

Consumer Information Series — Practical information, based on NIST research and experience,

covering areas of interest to the consumer. Easily understandable language and illustrations

provide useful background knowledge for shopping in today's technological marketplace.

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Federal Information Processing Standards Publications (FIPS PUB) — Publications in this series

collectively constitute the Federal Information Processing Standards Register. The Register serves

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NIST pursuant to the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 as amended.

Public Law 89-306 (79 Stat. 1127), and as implemented by Executive Order 11717 (38 FR 12315,

dated May 11, 1973) and Part 6 of Title 15 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations).

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