ASTM E667-98

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn. Contact
ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: E 667 – 98
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS
100 Barr Harbor Dr., West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Copyright ASTM
Standard Specification for
Mercury-in-Glass, Maximum Self-Registering Clinical
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Thermometers
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 667; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope E 344 Terminology Relating to Thermometry and Hydrom-
3
etry
1.1 This specification covers mercury-in-glass, reusable
maximum self-registering clinical thermometers of the types
3. Terminology
commonly used for measuring body temperatures of humans
3.1 Definitions—The definitions given in Terminology
and of animals. Requirements are given for bulb and stem
E 344 apply to this specification.
glasses, mercury, legibility and permanency of markings,
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
dimensions, temperature scale ranges, and graduations, as well
3.2.1 bore, n—hole or lumen in the stem.
as for thermometer stability, ease of resetting, retention of
3.2.2 calibration date, n—date on which the scale is affixed
temperature indication, and for accuracy of scale reading.
to a thermometer.
Appropriate methods of testing to determine compliance are
3.2.3 ceramic marking, n—marking produced by fusing a
provided. Also included is a glossary of terms used in the
ceramic colorant onto the glass surface.
standard and an appendix with additional information on
3.2.4 constriction, n—obstruction in the bore of a clinical
thermometer glasses and stability.
thermometer which permits the passage of mercury from the
1.2 All values of temperature in this standard are with
bulb when the bulb is heated, but which restricts its passage
reference to the International Temperature Scale of 1990.
back to the bulb when heat is removed.
1.3 This specification was developed to provide nationally
3.2.5 fire cracks, n—cracks in glass caused by local tem-
recognized marketing classifications and quality requirements
perature shock.
for mercury-in-glass, maximum self-registering clinical ther-
3.2.6 flat magnifying lens, n—thermometer stem glass in
mometers. It is also intended to provide producers, distributors,
which the numerals, graduations, and lens lie on the same
and users with a common understanding of the characteristics
relative surface.
of this product.
3.2.6.1 Discussion—It is so named for its approximately flat
1.4 The following precautionary statement pertains only to
cross section (See Fig. 1.)
the test method portion, Section 6 of this specification: This
3.2.7 fractures, n—internal or external breaks or cracks in
standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns,
the glass.
if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user
3.2.7.1 Discussion—Internal fractures usually occur in the
of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health
area between the bulb and the constriction.
practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limita-
3.2.8 graduations, n—series of lines on the stem of the
tions prior to use.
thermometer that designate the temperature scale intervals.
2. Referenced Documents 3.2.9 hard shaker thermometer, n—thermometer in which
the constriction is overly severe thereby restricting the passage
2.1 ASTM Standards:
of mercury back to the bulb causing the thermometer to fail the
E 29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to
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ease-of-resetting requirements.
Determine Conformance with Specifications
3.2.10 index, n—upper point of the mercury column whose
position, when noted with respect to the corresponding numer-
als and graduations, indicates the temperature of the mercury
within the bulb.
3.2.11 magnifying lens, n—stem glass that, due to its
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This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E-20 on
configuration, results in a magnification of the mercury col-
Temperature Measurement and is the direct responsibility of E20.08 on Medical
umn.
Thermometry.
Current edition approved April 10, 1998. Published March 1999. Originally
published as E 667 – 79. Last previous edition E 667 – 97.
2 3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.03.
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NOTICE:¬This¬standard¬has¬either¬been¬superceded¬and¬replaced¬by¬a¬new¬version¬or¬discontinued.¬
Contact¬ASTM¬International¬(www.astm.org)¬for¬the¬latest¬information.¬
E 667
Cross section of magnifying lens stems.
FIG. 1 Composite and Sectiona
...