Letter 5077

Spiral Contractometer

Greetings,

We are developing a high speed near zero stress nickel electroforming bath. As such our method of measuring the stress in the bath does not translate easily into Pounds per square foot, however a Brenner-Senderhof Spiral Contractometer does.

My question is Where can I get a contractometer?

I thank you in advance for any help I receive.

Anthony J. Covey
electroformer - Corona, California

A spiral contractometer is a slow test. The same plating solution at the same temp with the same coil, stripped and prepped can easily give data that is 1-2000 different. Two people testing a split sample on different equipment will rarely get the same answer. I bought mine from Kammaras, year ago. King Corp, Larry sells one also.

Quality Control Instruments in Oak Ridge, TN sells a modified one based on a Boeing patent. While I have never used one, but from having my hands on one, This looks like it would be considerable easier to load, calibrate and operate. If I were to do it again, it is the way that I would go.

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida

To James Watts-

I, too, want one of the easier to handle contractometers. I tried to contact Quality Control Instruments in Oak Ridge, TN and the operator told "no such place". Do you have a number?

Jeanne Kitazaki
United Airlines - San Francisco, CA

The units in question are now offered by QCI's successor, Industrial Instruments Inc. in Newport News, Virginia.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
finishing.com
Brick, New Jersey

April 3, 2009

Hi all,

Very informative thread indeed.

We are looking for contractometers, but it seems QCI, or Industrial Instruments are not contactable at the moment.

May I know if there are other companies selling helical type contractometers?

Thank you!

Jerry Lin
- Kembangan, SGP, Singapore