Strain-gage stability measurements for three years at 150°C in air

The zero shifts of nickel-chromium foil strain gages (modified Karma) were measured over a period of three years at a constant temperature of 150°C in air. Three gage lengths were included—1.585 mm (1/16 in.), 3.170 mm (1/8 in.), and 6.340 mm (1/4 in.). The strain gages were bonded to constant-stress cantilever beams which were subjected to nomial mechanical strain levels of 0, ±780 μm/m, and ± 1350 μm/m. Each strian gage was connected by threewire leads to a Wheatstone-bridge circuit for the test duration. The data support two general observations: (1) short gage lengths suffer larger zero shifts than longer gage lengths, and (2) gages in compression suffer large zero shifts than gages in tension. On the assumption that the major cause of the zero shifts is a combination of corrosion of the foil and creep of the gage/epoxy/beam system, the author suggests a possible way to correct for the zero shift by experimentally determining the combined corrosion/creep effect and substracting it from the strain-gage readings. Some of the data appear to be consistent with this assumption, but some of the data do not.