Development of a new methodology to measure contact pressure along a thermo-electo-mechanical interface

Abstract

Contact pressure and temperature fields are two of the significant factors which affect the anodic and cathodic voltage drops of Hall-Héroult cell. Although, the temperature field has been measured using some capturing devices, the contact pressure distribution along the thermo-electro-mechanical (TEM) interfaces, such as cast iron/carbon, has never been measured. In this study, a new methodology is proposed to measure the contact pressure distribution along TEM interfaces. Furthermore, a new sensor device is developed. The functionality of the proposed methodology as well as the developed sensor is examined via an experimental test in laboratory, representing the real industrial thermo-electro-mechanical behavior of the contact between the collector bar and the cathode block. Copyright © 2014 by The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society.