bonded strain gauge

In a bonded gauge, the sensing element is glued directly to the test object, so it stretches in unison with the surface. Unbonded types use a wire strung between movable posts and are typically found in sensors like load cells. Bonded gauges are easier to apply on-site and handle irregular surfaces better, which makes them the go-to for structural monitoring.

The adhesive must match both the test material and the environment. Cyanoacrylate works for quick lab tests on metals, but outdoors you may need epoxy for moisture resistance or ceramic cement for high temperatures. Kingmach can advise on the right adhesive for each foil type and backing, and often pre-bonds the gauge to a shim to simplify field gluing.

Yes. The factory routinely tailors gauge pattern, lead wire length, and sealing to customer specs. If your surface is curved, coated, or submerged, the team modifies the backing and protective layers accordingly. This avoids the compromises that come with trying to make a standard gauge work in a non-standard spot.

Strain gauges are sensitive to temperature changes through thermal expansion of the test material and drift in the gauge itself. Self-compensating foil alloys minimize this effect when matched to the material’s expansion coefficient. Kingmach selects these alloys and can provide calibration data for a given temperature range so your data logger can subtract the remaining offset.

Yes. Installation guidance and remote trouble-shooting are part of the standard package. For larger projects, on-site training can be arranged through the global distribution network. The goal is to get your bonded strain gauges installed correctly the first time and keep them reading accurately for years.