The practical use of TempCheks is for verification of the thermal uniformity and reproducibility of heat work delivered by a specific heating profile. TempCheks provide an easy method to digitize and record the firing process by using a digital micrometer to measure the final TempChek dimension, entering the dimension into the TempChek Trakker software that translates the final dimension into a temperature equivalent.

TempCheks are used widely in the Structural Clay and Investment Casting Industries but can also be used in Advanced Ceramics, Refractories, Sintering Dental Implants, Whitewares and Grinding Wheel Industries. TempCheks are made from carefully controlled ceramic materials that shrink over a fairly wide temperature range. They are measured once they have been exposed to the firing process and their dimension is used to determine the peak temperature they were exposed to.

The value of the TempChek is to provide verification that the kiln is delivering the expected amount of heat work each time a specific heating profile is applied and verify that the heat work is being delivered uniformly within the kiln ware load when multiple TempCheks are placed within the load setting. Software is available to automatically track your process temperatures for up to 9 locations by simply inputting the TempChek dimensions from each location after each firing. Temperatures are developed in air at a ramp rate of 1 degrees C per minute up to the setpoint with a 60 minute hold time. A correction graph is provided for hold times other than 60 minutes.

Ceramic Materials go through important changes as they are heated in a kiln, changes that are necessary to develop specific properties.  To produce a quality product, control over the heating cycle is known to be a critical variable in developing key product attributes. Control of temperature alone is not an effective method for producing a quality product. Ceramic materials are affected by both the temperature and the length of time they are exposed to temperature. Properly monitoring both the time and temperature are essential for maintaining control. TempChek measure the amount of energy input into the firing process, commonly referred to as heat-work, the combined effect of time and temperature. TempChek are made from ceramic materials similar to those associated with producing ceramic products. Therefore, the TempChek react to heat-work in the same manner as the ware. A key reaction that ceramic materials undergo when heated is densification as observed by shrinkage. Orton has developed the TempChek to undergo a high degree of shrinkage so it can be used to measure the heat-work within your process by precise measurement of its shrinkage. The shrinkage measurement, when converted to a heat-work temperature, can represent the success or failure to reach a desired fired property. 

Orton produces 4 versions of TempChek covering the following temperature ranges;

Low Temp                     


Medium Temp


High Temp  


Super Temp


Why use TempChek and when are they used?

- For Process improvement

- For monitoring process control

- For Preventative maintenance

The actual temperature inside a kiln when measured by a thermocouple does not give a true representation of the amount of heat absorbed by the product within the kiln. A thermocouple can only report the temperature at a fixed location, usually in the roof or along the sidewall of a kiln. TempChek can be placed anywhere within the kiln to determine the amount of heat-work at that location. The TempChek report the amount of energy absorbed over time within the ware setting by radiation, convection, and conduction. The heat-work measurements can be used to monitor and improve the uniformity and repeatability of the process.


Can they be used for Statistical process Control?



How are they measured?



How is the shrinkage transferred to temperature?


Tables are available with each batch so the fired dimension can be turned into an equivalent temperature

Product features and benefits

  • Provides independent process temperature verification

  • Able to easily monitor temperatures in the load

  • High sensitivity to process changes

  • Temperatures reported do not drift over time

  • Cost effective

  • Easy to use

  • Shelf stable

  • Free software

  • Product identification on each part

  • Highly accurate gauge available for use with software

  • Technical support from Orton

To speak with an expert


or call +1-614-818-1343