Autofrettage in pressure sensors ensures zero-point stability

In the manufacturing operation of pressure sensors, autofrettage denotes the process of active ?overload? by subjecting the pressure sensor selectively once or many times to a pressure above the nominal pressure range. This process is applied, in order to achieve maximum stability, in particular of the zero point, in later operation. Assuming a suitable design of the sensor, autofrettage enables a long time of trouble-free operation of the sensors even at high load cycles achieving the specified overload range, without leading to zero-point shift or similar effects.
In autofrettage, certain local areas of the sensor, in which through the selective overload the yield point of the sensor material is locally exceeded, become plasticised, producing a permanent change of the instrumentation characteristics. This selective effect on the structural conditions by means of autofrettage is an integral part of the development of the sensor and of the associated manufacturing process. Which pressure the sensor is put through and how often, must be determined individually for every sensor design through an elaborate FEM simulation and extensive test series.
Caution ? no experiments of your own! However, it should not be figured every sensor will automatically reap the benefits of subjecting it to autofrettage. Autofrettage can only be utilized for ductile materials, but for no reason for brittle ones. Conditioning must be scheduled and completed very selectively sufficient reason for great care during the production stages. Bargain -considered ?overpressurising? of Infuriated by laymen who like experimenting will not only damage the sensor permanently, but additionally result in dangerous preliminary damage and subsequently possibly in accidents caused by fatigue and bursting of the sensor. In Prize , an improvement in instrumentation is only going to be achieved, if, by hit or miss.

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