CRYOGENIC ENGINEERING LABORATORY

LABORATORY MANUAL
LIST OF EXPERIMENTS

1.
2.

Calibration of a cryogenic temperature measuring device

Temperature measurements in cryogen and also

3.

temperature set up.

Strain measurements in aluminium sheet immersed inside liquid

4.

nitrogen dewar.
Strain measurements in cryogenically treated aluminium sheet

5.
6.

specimen.
Electrical conductivity of titanium alloy and Getwick niobium wires.
Demonstration of diamagnetic nature of YBCO superconductor

7.

pellets.
Demonstration of strength and hardness improvement in cryogenic

8.

treatment.
Measurement of electrical conductivity of cryogenically treated

9.

copper.
Effect of cryogenic treatment in natural rubber (that is to check its

in

low

metallic behavior).
LIST OF EQUIPMENTS

S.N

EQUIPMENT

QUANTITY

EXPERIMENT NO

3,4

o
1

Strain gauge (Cryo)

Strain indicator

3,4

Thermocouple (Cryo)

1, 2

Temperature Indicator

1, 2

Dewar (Cryo)

1-9

Liquid Nitrogen

1-9

Superconductor

5, 6

Multimeter

5, 8

Hardness tester

10

Aluminium Sheet

3,4

11

Copper Wire

12

Tool Steel Piece

13

Die Steel Piece

14

Permanent Magnet

15

Rubber

Calibration of a Cryogenic Temmperature Measuring Device

(Thermocouple)

Ex. No. 1
Date

Aim

To calibrate the thermocouple to measure cryogenic temperature

Apparatus

1.
2.

Thermocouple
Temperature indicator
2

3.
4.
5.
6.

Cryogenic Dewar
Liquid Nitrogen
Copper wires
Stainless steel wires

Principle

A small voltage appears between the ends of a wire that is in a

temperature gradient. This voltage can be measured by connecting one
end, let us say the hot end of the wire, to another wire of a different
material that has a different voltage difference over the same
temperature range. A voltage will now appear between the cold ends of
the two wires (Figure 1). This voltage is quite small. If one wire is copper
and the other is constantan, a copper nickel alloy, and the hot junction is
20 degrees warmer than the cold ends, the voltage will be about 800
micro-volts. This is easily measurable nowadays and thermocouple
thermometers are precise to about 0.2 degrees (Table 1).

Procedure

Given (T type / K type) thermocouple is kept in a cryogen (liquid

nitrogen) and corresponding temperature shown by digital temperature
indicator are recorded (Table 2). If the temperature shown by digital
temperature indicator is different from liquid nitrogen temperature, the
calibration adjustments are made in digital temperature indicator to show
liquid nitrogen temperature.

Result
3

Thermocouple is calibrated to read liquid nitrogen temperature.

Figure 1 Seebeck effect

Table 1 Range and accuracy of thermocouples

T Type
Cu

&

Cu

Ni

K Type
(Copper

Ni Cr & Ni Al (Chromel Alumel)

Constantan)

Range : 3 K to 1543 K

Range : 3 K to 673 K

Sensitivity : 4.1 V/K at 20 K

Sensitivity : 4.6 V/K at 20 K

Table 2 Temperature Indicator Calibration

Temperature (C)
Liquid nitrogen temperature /
actual value
Liquid nitrogen temperature /
Digital

temperature

indicator

reading

Temperature Measurements in Cryogen and Also Low Temperature

Set Up

Ex. No. 2
Date

Aim

To calibrate the thermocouple to measure cryogenic temperature

Apparatus

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Themocouple
Temperature indicator
Cryogenic Dewar
Liquid Nitrogen
Ice
Cryohydrate
Copper wires
Stainless steel wires

Principle

A small voltage appears between the ends of a wire that is in a

temperature gradient. This voltage can be measured by connecting one
end, let us say the hot end of the wire, to another wire of a different
material that has a different voltage difference over the same
temperature range. A voltage will now appear between the cold ends of
6

the two wires (Figure 1). This voltage is quite small. If one wire is copper
and the other is constantan, a copper nickel alloy, and the hot junction is
20 degrees warmer than the cold ends, the voltage will be about 800
micro-volts. This is easily measurable nowadays and thermocouple
thermometers are precise to about 0.2 degrees.

Procedure

First, thermocouple (chromel-alumel) is inserted into liquid nitrogen

Dewar and temperature is read from temperature indicator and the
readings are entered in Table 1. Then, thermocouple (chromel-alumel) is
inserted into a beaker containing ice and temperature is read from
temperature indicator and the readings are entered in Table 1. Again,
thermocouple (chromel-alumel) is inserted into a beaker containing
cryohydrate and temperature is read from temperature indicator and the
readings are entered in Table 1.

Result

Temperature of cryogen

Temperature of ice

Temperature of cryohydrate

=.

Figure 1 Principle of tempererature measurement

Table 1 Temperature Measurement

S.No

Low temperature set up

Temperature of cryogen

Temperature of ice

Temperature of cryohydrate

Temperature (C)

Strain measurements in aluminium sheet immersed inside liquid

nitrogen dewar.

Ex. No. 3
Date

Aim

To measure of strain in a aluminium sheet specimen at -196C.

Apparatus

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Cryogenic Dewar
Liquid nitrogen
Cryogenic strain gauge
Strain indicator
Aluminium Sheet

Principle

In connection with the theoretical evaluation of an aluminum tank

for liquid nitrogen storage, it was necessary to experimentally confirm
the expected low thermal stress level. So, aluminium sheet specimens
used make liquid nitrogen storage tank are immersed in liquid nitrogen
and strain is measured using strain gage-strain indicator set up (Figure
1).
9

Procedure

Aluminium sheet specimen is bonded with strain gauge. The

specimen is tied in stainless steel wires and immersed in liquid nitrogen
for 5 mimutes. The readings shown by strain indicators are noted and
tabulated (Table 1). This procedure is repeated for two more times and
average strain is calculated.

Result

Strain in a given aluminium specimen at liquid

nitrogen temperature in m/m

10

Figure 1 Quarter bridge strain measurement set up

Table 1 Strain measurement at low temperature

S.No

Strain (m/m)

Reading 1
Reading 2
Reading 3
Average

11

Strain measurements in cryogenically treated aluminium sheet

specimen

Ex. No. 4
Date

Aim

To measure of strain in a aluminium sheet specimen at -196C.

Apparatus

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Cryogenic Dewar
Liquid nitrogen
Cryogenic strain gauge
Strain indicator
Pulley with weights
Aluminium Sheet

Principle

Cryogenically treated metallic specimens become strong and less

ductile. If we measure strain for a fixed tensile load, strain shown by
cryogenically treated specimen is less than that of untreated specimen
(Figure 1).
Procedure
12

Aluminium sheet specimen is bonded with strain gauge. Strain

indicator is switched on. A tensile load of 100g is applied and strain
reading is recorded (Table 1). The same procedure is repeated by
increasing the load to 200g, 300g, 400g & 500g and the respective strain
readings are recorded. Now, the specimen is removed from the stand
and immersed in cryogen container for 10minutes. The strain
measurement procedure is repeated as done for untreated specimen for
various loads (100-500g). The readings are recoreded (Table 1).

Result

Strain was determined for various loadings.

13

Figure 1 Quarter bridge strain measurement set up

Table 1 Strain measurement at low temperature

Load

Strain (m/m)
Untread

Cryo-treated

100g
200g
300g
400g
500g

Electrical Resistivity of Aluminium Alloy and Getwick Niobium

Ex.No.5
14

Date

AIM

Resistance of the superconducting material drops to zero below a

certain temperature (Tc).
Apparatus

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Aluminium alloy wire

Getwick niobium wire
multimeter
Dewar
Liquid nitrogen

Principle

Normal conductors of electricity carry current by individual

electrons, which are subject to inefficient, energy-absorbing interactions.
Superconductors, however, carry current in pairs of electrons called
Cooper pairs, making them near-perfect conductors. Superconducting
materials can only form these Cooper pairs below a certain temperature,
the critical temperature, or Tc. So, superconductors show very low
resistance below Tc or zero resistivity.

Procedure

15

Liquid nitrogen dewar is opened and given Superconductor

Aluminium Wire is immerse in liquid nitrogen for 10 minutes. Now,
multimeter probes are connected to superconductor and resistance
shown is recorded (Table 1). The experiment is repeated with Getwick
niobium wire and resistivity is recorded in Table 1 again.

Result

Resistance drops to zero at critical temperature.

16

Figure 1 Experimental set up

Table 1 Resistivity measurement for superconductors

S.No

Superconductor

Aluminium Alloy

Getwick Niobium

17

Resistance ()

Demonstration of Diamagnetic Property of YBCO Superconductor

Ex. No. 6
Date

Aim

To demonstrate the diamagnetic nature of superconductor.

Apparatus
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

YBCO Superconductor
Conductivity bridge
Cryogenic Dewar
Liquid Nitrogen
Permanent magnet
Glass beaker
Copper wires

Principle

The Meissner effect is an expulsion of a magnetic field from a

superconductor during its transition to the superconducting state, cooled
in liquid nitrogen (Figure 1). YBCO can be used to explain such property.
A demonstration of this is done by magnet levitating above a
superconductor (YBCO) cooled by liquid nitrogen (Figure 2).
18

Procedure

YBCO disc is placed on Styrofoam tray (tea cup). Lliquid nitrogen

is poured over the disc until it is completely immersed. After the liquid
nitrogen stops boiling, a small rare earth magnet is dropped onto the
superconductor. The dense magnet is floating / levitating over
superconductor.

Result

Diamagnetic nature of superconductor is thus demonstrated.

19

Figure 1 - Diagram of the Meissner effect.

Figure 2 - A magnet levitating above a superconductor (YBCO) cooled

by liquid nitrogen

20

Hardness and Strength Improvement in Cryogenic Treatment

Ex.No.7
Date

AIM
Cryogenic treatment to improve hardness and strength.

Apparatus

1.

Tool steel

2.

Die steel

3.

multimeter

4.

Dewar

5.

Liquid nitrogen

6.

Hardness tester

Principle

Tool and die steel becomes strong and hard when immersed in
liquid nitrogen for 1-2 hour. It is called Cryogenic Treatment. It is due to
increase the amount of martensite in the steel's crystal structure,

21

increasing its strength and hardness, sometimes at the cost of

toughness (Figure 1).

Procedure

Given tool and die steel specimens of known strength and

hardness are tied in stainless steel wires and hanged inside liquid
nitrogen for 2 hours. After soaking the specimens are removed from
liquid nitrogen and are bought to room temperature. Now, hardness tests
are performed to get hardness (and strength) of the cryogenically treated
specimens. The readings are recorded in Table 1.

Result

Hardness of tool steel in Rc

Hardness of die steel in Rc

22

Figure 1 Microstructure of die steel

before cryo-reatment

after cryotreatment

Table 1 Hardness Measurement

Specimen

Hardness (Rc)
Untreated

Cryo-treated

Tool Steel
Die Steel

23

Electrical Resistivity of Cryogenically Treated Copper Wire

Ex.No.8
Date

AIM
Cryogenic treatment to improve electrical conductivity

Apparatus

1.
2.
3.
4.

Copper wire
multimeter
Dewar
Liquid nitrogen

Principle

Cryogenic treatment is treatment of materials at extremely low

temperature (in liquid nitrogen). Copper behaves even stranger by
increasing its conductivitydue to cryogenic treatment.

Procedure
24

Given copper wire of known conductivity is hanged inside liquid

nitrogen for 1/2 hour. After soaking the copper specimens are removed
from liquid nitrogen and are bought to room temperature. Now,
conductivity is measured for cryogenically treated copper wires
specimens. The readings are tabulated (Table 1)

Result

Conductivity of copper after cryogenic treatment =

25

Table 1 Conductivity measurement

Conductivity before DCT

Conductivity after DCT

26

Electrical Resistivity of Cryogenically Treated Copper Wire

Ex.No.9
Date

AIM

Cryogenic treatment to change elasticity of rubber.

Apparatus

1.
2.
3.
4.

Rubber band
multimeter
Dewar
Liquid nitrogen

Principle

Cryogenic treatment is treatment of materials at extremely low

temperature (in liquid nitrogen). Plastics behave like glass at these
temperatures and rubber is extremely stiff that it could be mistaken for
metal. This treatment involves soaking specimen at this temperature for
a prescribed duration and bringing back to room temperature. The rate
of cooling and rate of heating play a very vital role in the ultimate
performance.

27

Procedure

Given specimens made up of rubber are tied in stainless steel

wires and hanged inside liquid nitrogen for 1/2 hour. After soaking the
rubber band specimens are removed from liquid nitrogen and are bought
to room temperature. Now, elastic property of rubber is checked for
cryogenically treated conditions. Brittle nature and metallic sound of
rubber are noted.

Result

Brittle nature and metallic sound in rubber are verified.

28