Isotech has produced over 200 high temperature thermometers which have been sold world-wide for use up to the silver point. As a consequence of our predelivery testing alone we have probably made more silver point calibrations than anyone else in the world. No one fully appreciates all the mechanisms at work when a coil of pure platinum wire inside a quartz envelope is taken to 1000°C and back. However, endless hours of study at National and International level, plus our own significant work at Isotech, have enabled us to design, build and test a superior Silver-Point Thermometer. This, we feel, is a significant contribution to better high temperature calibration. First, the 96178 can breathe, a valve in the handle can be opened to allow oxygen depletion or moist air to escape from inside the sheath and be replaced by fresh air containing 20% oxygen. The valve is normally opened at elevated temperatures and closed to prevent moisture ingress before water triple point measurements are performed. Second, the 96178 is the only thermometer ever designed with platinum heat radiation shields built into the sheath, to prevent heat radiating up inside the sheath. Third, a new ultra pure quartz, developed for the semiconductor industry at a cost of between 20 and 30 million pounds, has been adopted for use in the construction of the 96178. This new thermometer exemplifies our commitment to achieve the highest possible quality and minimum of contamination. How the thermometer is handled is most important for its stability and a purchaser will receive a comprehensive manual and tutorial with each 96178. Under some circumstances, provided the interior of the thermometer is undamaged we can replace the outer quartz sheath. Please consult us if a replacement is required. To exploit fully the accuracy of the 96178, a user will need a furnace for warming and annealing the thermometer as well as one to house the silver-point/aluminum-point cells. A Dual Calibration Furnace from Isotech combines these two features together with all the special accessories and handling know-how we have discovered.