THE INTERNATIONAL TEMPERATURE SCALE OF 1990

(ITS-90)

It should be noted that the official version of the scale is the French one.
The English version, published for convenience, has been authorized by the
Comite Consultatif de Thermometrie and approved by the Comite International
des Poids et Mesures.

The International Temperature Scale of 1990 was adopted by the

Comite International des Poids et Mesures at its meeting in 1989, in
accordance with the request embodied in Resolution 7 of the 18th
Conference Generale des Poids et Mesures of 1987. This scale supersedes
the International Practical Temperature Scale of 1968 (amended edition
of 1975) and the 1976 Provisional 0,5 K to 30 K Temperature Scale.

1. Units of temperature

The unit of the fundamental physical quantity known as thermo­

dynamic temperature, symbol T, is the kelvin, symbol K, defined as the
fraction 1/273,16 of the thermodynamic temperature of the triple point
of water e).
Because of the way earlier temperature scales were defined, it remains
common practice to express a temperature in terms of its difference
from 273,15 K, the ice point. A thermodynamic temperature, T, expressed
in this way is known as a Celsius temperature, symbol t, defined by :

tj"C = T/K - 273,15. (1)

The unit of Celsius temperature is the degree Celsius, symbol oc,
which is by definition equal in magnitude to the kelvin. A difference
of temperature may be expressed in kelvins or degrees Celsius.

C) Comptes Rendus des Seances de Ia Treizieme Conference Generale des Poids et

Mesures (1967-1968), Resolutions 3 and 4, p: 104.

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 - T24

The International Temperature Scale of 1990 (ITS-90) defines both

International Kelvin Temperatures, symbol T 90 , and International Celsius
Temperatures, symbol t 90 • The relation between T90 and t 90 is the same
as that between T and t, i.e. :

(2)

The unit of the physical quantity T90 is the kelvin, symbol K, and
the unit of the physical quantity t 90 is the degree Celsius, symbol oc,
as is the case for the thermodynamic temperature T and the Celsius
temperature t.

2. Principles of the International Temperature Scale of 1990 (ITS-90)

The ITS-90 extends upwards from 0,65 K to the highest temperature

practicably measurable in terms of the Planck radiation law using
monochromatic radiation. The ITS-90 comprises a number of ranges
and sub-ranges throughout each of which temperatures T90 are defined.
Several of these ranges or sub-ranges overlap, and where such overlapping
occurs, differing definitions of T90 exist : these differing definitions have
equal status. For measurements of the very highest precision there may
be detectable numerical differences between measurements made at the
same temperature but in accordance with differing definitions. Similarly,
even using one definition, at a temperature between defining fixed points
two acceptable interpolating instruments (e.g. resistance thermometers)
may give detectably differing numerical values of T 90 • In virtually all
cases these differences are of negligible practical importance and are at
the minimum level consistent with a scale of no more than reasonable
complexity : for further information on this point, see « Supplementary
Information for the ITS-90 » *.
The ITS-90 has been constructed in such a way that, throughout
its range, for any given temperature the numerical value of T90 is a
close approximation to the numerical value of T according to best
estimates at the time the scale was adopted. By comparison with direct
measurements of thermodynamic temperatures, measurements of T 90 are
more easily made, are more precise and are highly reproducible.
There are significant numerical differences between the values of T90
and the corresponding values of T68 measured on the International
Practical Temperature Scale of 1968 (IPTS-68), see Fig. 1 and Table VI.
Similarly there were differences between the IPTS-68 and the International
Practical Temperature Scale of 1948 (IPTS-48), and between the

* See Monography BIPM/1990.

Published in the Proces-verbaux du Comite International des Poids et Mesures, 78th meeting, 1989
 - T25

International Temperature Scale of 1948 (ITS-48) and the International

Temperature Scale of 1927 (ITS-27). See the Appendix and, for more
detailed information, « Supplementary Information for the ITS-90 ».

3. Definition of the International Temperature Scale of 1990

Between 0,65 K and 5,0 K T90 is defined in terms of the vapour­

pressure temperature relations of 3He and 4He.
Between 3,0 K and the triple point of neon (24,5561 K) T90 is defined
by means of a helium gas thermometer calibrated at three experimentally
realizable temperatures having assigned numerical values (defining fixed
points) and using specified interpolation procedures.
Between the triple point of equilibrium hydrogen (13,8033 K) and
the freezing point of silver (961,78 oq T90 is defined by means of
platinum resistance thermometers calibrated at specified sets of defining
fixed points and using specified interpolation procedures.
Above the freezing point of silver (961,78 OC) T90 is defined in terms
of a defining fixed point and the Planck radiation law.
The defining fixed points of the ITS-90 are listed in Table I. The
effects of pressure, arising from significant depths of immersion of the
sensor or from other causes, on the temperature of most of these points
are given in Table II.

3.1. From 0,65 K to 5,0 K: helium vapour-pressure temperature

equations

In this range T90 is defined in terms of the vapour pressure p of

3
He and 4He using equations of the form :
9
T9o/K = Ao + L Ai[(ln (p/Pa)- B)/CJi. (3)
i=l

The values of the constants A0 , Ai, B and C are given in Table III
for 3He in the range of 0,65 K to 3,2 K, and for 4He in the ranges
1,25 K to 2,1768 K (the 'A point) and 2,1768 K to 5,0 K.

3.2. From 3,0 K to the triple point of neon (24,5561 K) : gas

thermometer

In this range T90 is defined in terms of a 3He or a 4He gas

thermometer of the constant-volume type that has been calibrated at
three temperatures. These are the triple point of neon (24,5561 K), the

Published in the Proces-verbaux du Comite International des Poids et Mesures, 78th meeting, 1989
 '"d
TABLE I
if'
Defining fixed points of the ITS-90
(1)
0..
s· Number Temperature Substance(•) State(bl W, (T9o)
g.
(1) T9o/K t9o/'C
1 3 to 5 - 270,15 to He v
- 268,15
(")
>
2 13,803 3 - 259,346 7 e-H2 T 0,001190 07
"'
I
3 17 - 256,15 e-H2 (or He) V (or G)
..., 4 20,3 - 252,85 e-H2 (or He) V (or G)
:;::,
5 24,556 1 - 248,593 9 Ne T 0,008 449 74
6 54,358 4 - 218,791 6 02 T 0,091 718 04
7 83,805 8 - 189,344 2 Ar T 0,215 859 75
8 234,315 6 - 38,834 4 Hg T 0,844142 11
9 273,16 0,01 H20 T 1,000 000 00 ,...,
;::;:
' 10 302,914 6 29,764 6 Ga M 1,118 138 89 N
a-
11 429,748 5 156,598 5 In F 1,609 801 85
12 505,078 231,928 Sn F 1,892 797 68
13 692,677 419,527 Zn F 2,568 917 30
cs· 14 933,473 660,323 AI F 3,376 008 60
15 1 234,93 961,78 Ag F 4,286 420 53
16 1 337,33 1 064,18 Au F
17 1 357,77 1084,62 Cu F
"' ·-
'···- ------ ··-

(a):
- All substances except 3He are of natural isotopic composition ;
- (b) :
- e-H, is hydrogen at the equilibrium concentration of the ortho- and para-molecular forms.

- For advice on the realization of these various states, see «Supplementary Information for the ITS-90 ».
;":':
- Symbols have the following meanings : V : vapour pressure point; T : triple point (temperature at which the solid, liquid and vapour phases
. are in equilibrium); G: gas thermometer point; M, F: melting point, freezing point (temperature, at a pressure of 101 325 Pa, at which the solid
--.] and liquid phases are in equilibrium).
00
g.
s
-
(1)
(1)

-
\0
00
\0
 - T27
TABLE II
Effect of pressure on the temperatures of some defining fixed points *

Assigned value Temperature variation

of equilibrium
Substance temperature with pressure p with depth h
TgJK (dT/dp)/(10- 8K ·Pa - 1 )** (dT/dh)/(10- 3K·m - 1 )***
e-Hydrogen (T) 13,803 3 34 0,25
Neon (T) 24,556 1 16 1,9
Oxygen (T) 54,358 4 12 1,5
Argon (T) 83,805 8 25 3,3
Mercury (T) 234,315 6 5,4 7,1
Water (T) 273,16 - 7,5 - 0,73
Gallium 302,914 6 - 2,0 - 1,2
Indium 429,748 5 4,9 3,3
Tin 505,078 3,3 2,2
Zinc 692,677 4,3 2,7
Aluminium 933,473 7,0 1,6
Silver 1 234,93 6,0 5,4
Gold 1 337,33 6,1 10
Copper 1 357,77 3,3 2,6

*
The reference pressure for melting and freezing points is the standard atmosphere
(p0 101 325 Pa). For triple points (T) the pressure effect is a consequence only of the
=
hydrostatic head of liquid in the cell.
** Equivalent to millikelvins per standard atmosphere.
*** Equivalent to millikelvins per metre of liquid.

TABLE III
Values of the constants for the helium vapour pressure Eq. ( 3),
and the temperature range for which each equation, identified by
its set of constants, is valid
3 4 4
He He He
0,65 K to 3,2 K 1,25 K to 2,1768 K 2,1768 K to 5,0 K

Ao 1,053 447 1,392 408 3,146 631

A1 0,980 106 0,527 153 1,357 655
Az 0,676 380 0,166 756 0,413 923
AJ 0,372 692 0,050 988 0,091 159
A4 0,151 656 0,026 514 0,016 349
As - 0,002 263 0,001 975 0,001 826
A6 0,006 596 - O,Q17 976 - 0,004 325
A1 0,088 966 0,005 409 - 0,004 973

As - 0,004 770 0,013 259 0

A9 - 0,054 943 0 0
B 7,3 5,6 10,3
c 4,3 2,9 1,9

Published in the Proces-verbaux du Comite International des Poids et Mesures, 78th meeting, 1989
 - T28

triple point of equilibrium hydrogen (13,8033 K), and a temperature

between 3,0 K and 5,0 K. This last temperature is determined using a
3
He or a 4He vapour pressure thermometer as specified in Sect. 3.1.

3.2.1. From 4,2 K to the triple point of neon {24,5561 K) with 4He
as the thermometric gas

In this range T90 is defined by the relation :

T90 = a + bp + cp2 , (4)

where p is the pressure in the gas thermometer and a, b and c are

coefficients the numerical values of which are obtained from measurements
made at the three defining fixed points given in Sect. 3.2, but with the
further restriction that the lowest one of these points lies between 4,2 K
and 5,0 K.

3.2.2. From 3,0 K to the triple point of neon {24,5561 K) with 3He
or 4He as the thermometric gas

For a 3He gas thermometer, and for a 4He gas thermometer used
below 4,2 K, the non-ideality of the gas must be accounted for explicitly,
using the appropriate second virial coefficient B3 (T90 ) or B4 (T90 ). In this
range T90 is defined by the relation :

(5)

where p is the pressure in the gas thermometer, a, b and c are coefficients

the numerical values of which are obtained from measurements at three
defining temperatures as given in Sect. 3.2, NjV is the gas density with
N being the quantity of gas and V the volume of the bulb, x is 3 or
4 according to the isotope used, and the values of the second virial
coefficients are given by the relations :

For 3He,

B3 (T90 )/m 3 mol- 1

= {16,69- 336,98(T9o/K)- 1
+ 91,04(T90 /K)- 2 - 13,82(T90 /K)-3 } 10- 6 . (6 a)
For 4He,
B4 (T90 )/m 3 mol- 1
= {16,708 - 374,05(T90 /K)- 1
- 383,53(T90 /K)- 2 + 1 799,2(T90 /K)- 3
- 4 033,2(T90 /K)- 4 + 3 252,8(T90 /K)- 5 } 10- 6 • (6 b)

Published in the Proces-verbaux du Comite International des Poids et Mesures, 78th meeting, 1989
 - T29

The accuracy with which T90 can be realized using Eqs. (4) and (5)
depends on the design of the gas thermometer and the gas density
used. Design criteria and current good practice required to achieve a
selected accuracy are given in « Supplementary Information for the
ITS-90 ».

3.3. The triple point of equilibrium hydrogen (13,8033 K) to the freezing

point of silver (961,78 oc): platinum resistance thermometer

In this range T90 is defined by means of a platinum resistance

thermometer calibrated at specified sets of defining fixed points, and
using specified reference and deviation functions for interpolation at
intervening temperatures.
No single platinum resistance thermometer can provide high accuracy,
or is even likely to be usable, over all of the temperature range
13,8033 K to 961,78 °C. The choice of temperature range, or ranges,
from among those listed below for which a particular thermometer can
be used is normally limited by its construction.
For practical details and current good practice, in particular
concerning types of thermometer available, their acceptable operating
ranges, probable accuracies, permissible leakage resistance, resistance
values, and thermal treatment, see « Supplementary Information for the
ITS-90 ». It is particularly important to take account of the appropriate
heat treatments that should be followed each time a platinum resistance
thermometer is subjected to a temperature above about 420 OC.
Temperatures are determined in terms of the ratio of the resistance
R(T90 ) at a temperature T90 and the resistance R(273,16 K) at the triple
point of water. This ratio, W(T90 ), is e):
W(T9 o) = R(T 90 )/R(273,16 K). (7)

An acceptable platinum resistance thermometer must be made from

pure, strain-free platinum, and it must satisfy at least one of the
following two relations :

W(29,7646 OC) ): 1,118 07, (8 a)

W(- 38,8344 OC) :( 0,844 235. (8 b)

2
( ) Note that this definition of W(T90 ) differs from the corresponding definition used
in the ITS-27, ITS-48, IPTS-48 and IPTS-68: for all of these earlier scales W(T) was
defined in terms of a reference temperature of 0 ·c, which since 1954 has itself been
defined as 273,15 K.

Published in the Prod:s-verbaux du Comite International des Poids et Mesures, 78th meeting, 1989
 - T30

An acceptable platinum resistance thermometer that is to be used

up to the freezing point of silver must also satisfy the relation :

W(961,78 °C) 4,2844. (8 c)

In each of the resistance thermometer ranges, T 90 is obtained from

W,(T90 ) as given by the appropriate reference function {Eqs. (9 b) or
(10 b)}, and the deviation W(T90 ) - W,(T90 ). At the defining fixed points
this deviation is obtained directly from the calibration of the thermometer ;
at intermediate temperatures it is obtained by means of the appropriate
deviation function {Eqs. (12), (13) and (14)}.

(i) For the range 13,8033 K to 273,16 K the following reference

function is defined :

An inverse function, equivalent to Eq. (9 a) to within 0,1 mK, is :

15 w (T,90)1/6
[ 0 65Ji
T,90 /273' 16 K = B0 + .L_.
"B I
' 0 35- '
• (9 b)
t=l '

The values of the constants A0 , A;, B0 and B; are given in Table IV.
A thermometer may be calibrated for use throughout this range or,
using progressively fewer calibration points, for ranges with low
temperature limits of 24,5561 K, 54,3584 K and 83,8058 K, all having
an upper limit of 273,16 K.

(ii) For the range 0 oc to 961,78 oc the following reference function

is defined:

W,(T90) = Co +;
9

C;
[T /K-
90
481
754,15];
· (10 a)

An inverse function, equivalent to equation (10 a) to within 0,13 mK,

is :

•
T90 jK - 273,15 = D0 + ;'S D; [W,(T 1,64 90) - 2,64];
· (10 b)

The values of the constants C0 , C;, D0 and D; are given in Table IV.
A thermometer may be calibrated for use throughout this range or,
using fewer calibration points, for ranges with upper limits of 660,323 oc,

Published in the Proces-verbaux du Comite International des Poids et Mesures, 78th meeting, 1989
 - T31-

TABLE IV
Platinum resistance thermometer
The constants A0 , A; ; B0 , B; ; C0, C; ; D0 and D 1 in the reference function
of equations (9 a); (9 b); (10 a); and (10 b) respectively

Ao - 2,135 347 29 Bo 0,183 324 722

A, 3,183 247 20 B, 0,240 975 303
A2 - 1,801 435 97 B2 0,209 108 771
AJ 0,717 272 04 BJ 0,190 439 972

A4 0,503 440 27 B4 0,142 648 498

A5 - 0,618 993 95 B5 0,077 993 465
A6 - 0,053 323 22 B6 0,012 475 611
A1 0,280 213 62 B7 - 0,032 267 127.-

As 0,107 152 24 Bs - 0,075 291 522

A9 - 0,293 028 65 B9 - 0,056 470 670
AIO 0,044 598 72 BIO 0,076 201 285
A,, 0,118 686 32 B" 0,123 893 204
Al2 - 0,052 481 34 Bl2 - 0,029 201 193

B,J - 0,091 173 542

B,4 0,001 317 696
B,l 0,026 025 526

Co 2,781 572 54 Do 439,932 854

c, 1,646 509 16 D, 472,418 020
C2 - 0,137 143 90 D2 37,684 494

CJ - 0,006 497 67 D1 7,472 018

c4 - 0,002 344 44 D4 2,920 828
cl 0,005 118 68 D5 0,005 184

c6 0,001 879 82 D6 - 0,963 864

c7 - 0,002 044 72 D7 - 0,188 732
Cs - 0,000 461 22 Ds 0,191203
c9 0,000 457 24 D9 0,049 025

419,527 oc, 231,928 oc, 156,5985 oc or 29,7646 oc, all having a lower
limit of 0 oc.

(iii) A thermometer may be calibrated for use in the range

234,3156 K(- 38,8344 oq to 29,7646 oc, the calibration being made at
these temperatures and at the triple point of water. Both reference
functions {Eqs. (9) and (10)} are required to cover this range.
The defining fixed points and deviation functions for the various
ranges are given below, and in summary form in Table V.

Published in the Proces-verbaux du Comite International des Poids et Mesures, 78th meeting, 1989
 '"d
TABLE v
if' Deviation functions and calibration points for platinum resistance thermometers
(1)
0..
in the various ranges in which they define T90
s· (a) Ranges with an upper limit of 273,16 K
g.
(1)
Lower Deviation functions Calibration points**
Section
limit
(")
>
5

"'
I 3.3.1 13,803 3 K a [W(T90)-1] + b [W(T9o)-I]Z + c, [In W (T9o)J'+ ", n = 2 2 to 9
..., i=l

:;::, 3.3.1.1 24,556 I K As for 3.3.I with c4 = c5 = 0 and n = 0 2, 5 to 9

3.3.1.2 54,358 4 K As for 3.3.1 with c2 = c3 = c4 = c5 = 0 and n = I 6 to 9
3.3.1.3 83,805 8 K a [W(T90 )- I]+ b [W (T90)- I] In W (T9o) 7 to 9
(b) Ranges with a lower limit of 0 oc ....,
;::;: Upper Deviation functions Calibration points ** ""'
Section N
' limit
3.3.2 * 96I,78 oc a [W (T90) - I] + b [W (T9o) - IF + c [W (T9o) - IF 9, I2 to I5
+ d [W(T9o)- W(660,323 oqf
3.3.2.I 660,323 oc As for 3.3.2 with d = 0 9, 12 to 14
cs· 3.3.2.2 4I9,527 oc As for 3.3.2 with c = d = 0 9, I2, I3
3.3.2.3 23I,928 oc As for 3.3.2 with c = d = 0 9, 11, 12
3.3.2.4 I56,598 5 oc As for 3.3.2 with b = c = d = 0 9, 11
"' 3.3.2.5 29,764 6 oc As for 3.3.2 with b = c = d = 0 9, IO
(c) Range from 234,3I5 6 K (- 38,834 4 OC) to 29,764 6 oc
- 3.3.3 As for 3.3.2 with c
* Calibration points 9, 12 to 14 are used with d = 0 for t90
=

:;;;
d = 0 8 to IO
660,323 'C ; the values of a, b and c thus obtained are retained for t 90 660,323 'C,
;":': with d being determined from calibration point 15.
. ** See Table I.
--.]
00
g.
s
-
(1)
(1)

-
\0
00
\0
 - T33

3.3.1. The triple point of equilibrium hydrogen (13,8033 K) to the

triple point of water (273,16 K)

The thermometer is calibrated at the triple points of equilibrium

hydrogen (13,8033 K), neon (24,5561 K), oxygen (54,3584 K), argon
(83,8058 K), mercury (234,3156 K), and water (273,16 K), and at two
additional temperatures close to 17,0 K and 20,3 K. These last two may
be determined either : by using a gas thermometer as described in
Sect. 3.2, in which case the two temperatures must lie within the ranges
16,9 K to 17,1 K and 20,2 K to 20,4 K respectively; or by using the
vapour pressure-temperature relation of equilibrium hydrogen, in which
case the two temperatures must lie within the ranges 17,025 K to
17,045 K and 20,26 K to 20,28 K respectively, with the precise values
being determined from Eqs. (11 a) and (11 b) respectively:

T90 /K - 17,035 = (p/kPa - 33,3213)/13,32, (11 a)

T90 /K - 20,27 = (pjkPa - 101,292)/30. (11 b)

The deviation function is C) :

W(T9o) - Wr(Tgo) = a[ W(Tgo) - 1] + b[ W(T9o) - 1F

+ L C;[In W(T90 )J+", (12)
i=l

with values for the coefficients a, b and C; being obtained from

measurements at the defining fixed points and with n = 2.
For this range and for the sub-ranges 3.3.1.1 to 3.3.1.3 the required
values of Wr(T90 ) are obtained from Eq. (9 a) or from Table I.

3.3.1.1. The triple point of neon (24,5561 K) to the triple point of

water (273,16 K)

The thermometer is calibrated at the triple points of equilibrium

hydrogen (13,8033 K), neon (24,5561 K), oxygen (54,3584 K), argon
(83,8058 K), mercury (234,3156 K) and water (273,16 K).
The deviation function is given by Eq. (12) with values for the
coefficients a, b, c1 , c2 and c3 being obtained from measurements at the
defining fixed points and with c4 = c5 = n = 0.

(') This deviation function {and also those of Eqs (13) and (14)} may be expressed
in terms of W, rather than W; ·for this procedure see « Supplementary Information for
ITS-90 ».

Published in the Proces-verbaux du Comite International des Poids et Mesures, 78th meeting, 1989
 - T34

3.3.1.2. The triple point of oxygen (54,3584 K) to the triple point of

water (273,16 K)
The thermometer is calibrated at the triple points of oxygen
(54,3584 K), argon (83,8058 K), mercury (234,3156 K) and water
(273,16 K).
The deviation function is given by Eq. (12) with values for the
coefficients a, b and c1 being obtained from measurements at the defining
fixed points, with c2 = c3 = c4 = c5 = 0 and with n = 1.

3.3.1.3. The triple point of argon (83,8058 K) to the triple point of

water (273,16 K)
The thermometer is calibrated at the triple points of argon (83,8058 K),
mercury (234,3156 K) and water (273,16 K).
The deviation function is :

with the values of a and b being obtained from measurements at the

defining fixed points.

3.3.2. From 0 oc to the freezing point of silver (961,78 OC)

The thermometer is calibrated at the triple point of water (0,01 OC),
and at the freezing points of tin (231,928 oC), zinc (419,527 oC), aluminium
(660,323 OC) and silver (961,78 °C).
The deviation function is :

W(T90 ) - W,(T90 ) = a[ W(T9o) - 1] + b[ W(T9o) - 1f

+ c[ W(T90 ) - 1]3 + d[W(T90) - W(660,323 OC)f (14)

For temperatures below the freezing point of aluminium d = 0, with

the values of a, b and c being determined from the measured deviations
from W,(T90 ) at the freezing points of tin, zinc and aluminium. From
the freezing point of aluminium to the freezing point of silver the
above values of a, b and c are retained and the value of d is determined
from the measured deviation from W,(T90 ) at the freezing point of
silver.
For this range and for the sub-ranges 3.3.2.1 to 3.3.2.5 the required
values for W,(T90 ) are obtained from Eq. (10 a) or from Table I.

3.3.2.1. From 0 oc to the freezing point of aluminium (660,323 OC)

The thermometer is calibrated at the triple point of water (0,01 °C),
and at the freezing points of tin (231,928 °C), zinc (419,527 oq and
aluminium (660,323 °C).

Published in the Proces-verbaux du Comite International des Poids et Mesures, 78th meeting, 1989
 - T35

The deviation function is given by Eq. (14), with the values of a, b

and c being determined from measurements at the defining fixed points
and with d = 0.

3.3.2.2. From 0 oc to the freezing point of zinc (419,527 oq

The thermometer is calibrated at the triple point of water (0,01 oq,
and at the freezing points of tin (231,928 OC) and zinc (419,527 °C).
The deviation function is given by Eq. (14), with the values of a
and b being obtained from measurements at the defining fixed points
and with c = d = 0.

3.3.2.3. From 0 oc to the freezing point of tin (231,928 oq

The thermometer is calibrated at the triple point of water (0,01 OC),
and at the freezing points of indium (156,5985 OC), and tin (231,928 °C).
The deviation function is given by Eq. (14), with the values of a
and b being obtained from measurements at the defining fixed points
and with c = d = 0.

3.3.2.4. From 0 oc to the freezing point of indium (156,5985 oq

The thermometer is calibrated at the triple point of water (0,01 °C),
and at the freezing point of indium (156,5985 °C).
The deviation function is given by Eq. (14), with the value of a
being obtained from measurements at the defining fixed points and with
b = c = d = 0.

3.3.2.5. From 0 oc to the melting point of gallium (29,7646 oq

The thermometer is calibrated at the triple point of water (0,01 oq,
and at the melting point of gallium (29,7646 °C).
The deviation function is given by Eq. (14), with the value of a
being obtained from measurements at the defining fixed points and with
b = c = d = 0.

3.3.3. The triple point of mercury (- 38,8344 oq to the melting point

of gallium (29,7646 oq

The thermometer is calibrated at the triple points of mercury

(- 38,8344 oq, and water (0,01 oq, and at the melting point of gallium
(29,7646 °C),
The deviation function is given by Eq. (14), with the values of a
and b being obtained from measurements at the defining fixed points
and with c = d = 0.
The required values of Wr (T90 ) are obtained from Eqs. (9 a) and
(10 a) for measurements below and above 273,16 K respectively, or
from Table I.

Published in the Prod:s-verbaux du Comite International des Poids et Mesures, 78th meeting, 1989
 - T36

3.4. The range above the freezing point of silver (961,78 °C}: Planck
radiation law

Above the freezing point of silver the temperature T 90 is defined by

the equation :

L?c(T9o) exp (cz[A.T90 (X)r 1 ) - 1

(15)
L?c[T9o(X)] exp (c2 [A.T90 ] 1 ) - 1

where T90 (X) refers to any one of the silver {T90 (Ag) = 1 234,93 K},
the gold {T90 (Au) = 1 337,33 K} or the copper {T90 (Cu) = 1 357,77 K}
freezing points (4 ) and in which L?c(T90 ) and L?c[T90 (X)] are the spectral
concentrations of the radiance of a blackbody at the wavelength (in
vacuo) A. at T90 and at T90 (X) respectively, and c2 = 0,014388m·K.
For practical details and current good practice for optical pyrometry,
see « Supplementary Information for the ITS-90 ».

4. Supplementary information and differences from earlier scales

The apparatus, methods and procedures that will serve to realize

the ITS-90 are given in «Supplementary Information for the ITS-90 ».
This document also gives an account of the earlier International
Temperature Scales and the numerical differences between successive
scales that include, where practicable, mathematical functions for the
differences T 90 - T68 • A number of useful approximations to the ITS-90
are given in « Techniques for Approximating the ITS-90 » *.
The two documents have been prepared by the Comite Consultatif
de Thermometrie and are published by the BIPM ; they are revised and
updated periodically.
The differences T90 - T68 are shown in Fig. 1 and Table VI. The
number of significant figures given in Table VI allows smooth interpo­
lations to be made. However, the reproducibility of the IPTS-68 is, m
many areas, substantially worse than is implied by this number.

4
( ) The T90 values of the freezing points of silver, gold and copper are believed to
be self consistent to such a degree that the substitution of any one of them in place of
one of the other two as the reference temperature T90 (X) will not result in significant
differences in the measured values of T90 •
*See Monography BIPM/1990.

Published in the Proces-verbaux du Comite International des Poids et Mesures, 78th meeting, 1989
 - T37

0
0
0
.....

0
0
co

oO
'D
r.h
E-<
e::
"d
0:
tO
0
(.) 0\

0
0
'It
0
........
..JI
0 -
r.h
-<E

Q)
Q)
0:

is:
<;)
.n
Q)
(.)
0:
Q)

l'i"l
0
I
ob
ti:

0 C'l
0

Published in the Prod:s-verbaux du Comite International des Poids et Mesures, 78th meeting, 1989
 '"d
§: TABLEAU VI
(1)
0.. Differences between ITS-90 and EPT-76, and between ITS-90 and IPTS-68 for specified values of T 90 and t 90
s·
g. (T9o - T16)jmK
(1)

(")
T9o/K 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
>

'I' - 0,1 - 0,2 - 0,3 - 0,4 - 0,5

iii 0
& 10 - 0,6 - 0,7 - 0,8 - 1,0 - 1,1 - 1,3 - 1,4 - 1,6 - 1,8 - 2,0
:;::,
20 - 2,2 - 2,5 - 2,7 - 3,0 - 3,2 - 3,5 - 3,8 - 4,1

(T9o - T6s)/K

;::;.- T9o/K 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 ...,

w
00
10 - 0,006 - 0,003 - 0,004 - 0,006 - 0,008 - 0,009
20 - 0,009 - 0,008 - 0,007 - 0,007 - 0,006 - 0,005 - 0,004 - 0,004 - 0,005 - 0,006
:;::, 30 - 0,006 - 0,007 - 0,008 - 0,008 - 0,008 - 0,007 - 0,007 - 0,007 - 0,006 - 0,006
6· 40 - 0,006 - 0,006 - 0,006 - 0,006 - 0,006 - 0,007 - 0,007 - 0,007 - 0,006 - 0,006
50 - 0,006 - 0,005 - 0,005 - 0,004 - 0,003 - 0,002 - 0,001 0,000 0,001 0,002
60 0,003 0,003 0,004 0,004 0,005 0,005 0,006 0,006 0,007 0,007
"' 70 0,007 0,007 0,007 0,007 0,007 0,008 ·, 0,008 0,008 0,008 0,008
80 0,008 0,008 0,008 0,008 0,008 0,008 0,008 0,008 0,008 0,008
90 0,008 0,008 0,008 0,008 0,008 0,008 0,008 0,009 0,009 0,009
- T9o/K 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
"'
;:: I
I 100 0,009 0,011 0,013 0,014 0,014 0,014 0,014 0,013 0,012 0,012
. 200 O,Qll 0,010 0,009 0,008 0,007 0,005 0,003 0,001
--.] I
-··--L_ - ---- - -
00
g.
s
-
(1)
(1)

-
\0
00
\0
'"d
(t9o - t6s)/'C

if' t9o(C 0 -10 - 20 - 30 - 40 - 50 - 60 - 70 - 80 - 90

(1)
0..
s· - 100 0,013 0,013 0,014 0,014 0,014 0,013 0,012 0,010 0,008 0,008
g. 0 0,000 0,002 0,004 0,006 0,008 0,009 0,010 0,011 0,012 0,012
(1)

(") t9o/'C 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
>

"'
I

0 0,000 - 0,002 - 0,005 - 0,007 - 0,010 - 0,013 - 0,016 - 0,018 - 0,0021 - 0,024
& 100 - 0,026 - 0,028 - 0,030 - 0,032 - 0,034 - 0,036 - 0,037 - 0,038 - 0,039 - 0,039
200 - 0,040 0,040 - 0,040 - 0,040 - 0,040 - 0,040 - 0,040 - 0,039 - 0,039 - 0,039
300 - 0,039 - 0,039 - 0,039 - 0,040 - 0,040 - 0,041 - 0,042 - 0,043 - 0,045 .....,
- 0,046
w
400 - 0,048 - 0,051 - 0,053 - 0,056 - 0,059 - 0,062 - 0,065 - 0,068 - 0,072 - om5 1 1.0

500 - 0,079 - 0,083 - 0,087 - 0,090 - 0,094 - 0,098 - 0,101 - 0,105 - 0,108 - 0,112
;::;: 600 - 0,115 - 0,118 - 0,122 - 0,125* - 0,08 - 0,03 0,02 0,06 0,11 0,16
'
700 0,20 0,24 0,28 0,31 0,33 0,35 0,36 0,36 0,36 0,35
800 0,34 0,32 0,29 0,25 0,22 0,18 0,14 0,10 0,06 0,03
:;::, 900 - 0,01 -0,03 - 0,06 - 0,08 - 0,10 - 0,12 - 0,14 - 0,16 - 0,17 - 0,18
· 1000 - 0,19 - 0,20 - 0,21 - 0,22 - 0,23 - 0,24 - 0,25 - 0,25 - 0,26 - 0,26
:.;.::_
,

t9o(C 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900
"'
1000 - 0,26 - 0,30 - 0,35 - 0,39 -0,44 - 0,49 -0,54 - 0,60 - 0,66

- 2 000
3 000
- 0,72
- 1,50
-0,79
- 1,59
- 0,85
- 1,69
- 0,93
- 1,78
- 1,00
- 1,89
- 1,07
- 1,99
- 1,15
- 2,10
- 1,24
- 2,21
- 1,32
- 2,32
- 1,41
- 2,43

"'
;::
* A discontinuity in the first derivative of (t 90 - t 68 ) occurs at a temperature of t90 = 630,6 'C, at which (t90 - t68 ) = - 0,125 'C.
--.]
00
g.
s
-
(1)
(1)

-
\0
00
\0
 - T40-

APPENDIX

The International Temperature Scale of 1927 (ITS-27)

The International Temperature Scale of 1927 was adopted by the

seventh Conference Generale des Poids et Mesures to overcome the
practical difficulties of the direct realization of thermodynamic tempe­
ratures by gas thermometry, and as a universally acceptable replacement
for the differing existing national temperature scales. The ITS-27 was
formulated so as to allow measurements of temperature to be made
precisely and reproducibly, with as close an approximation to thermo­
dynamic temperatures as could be determined at that time. Between the
oxygen boiling point and the gold freezing point it was based upon a
number of reproducible temperatures, or fixed points, to which numerical
values were assigned, and two standard interpolating instruments. Each
of these interpolating instruments was calibrated at several of the fixed
points, this giving the constants for the interpolating formula in the
appropriate temperature range. A platinum resistance thermometer was
used for the lower part and a platinum rhodium/platinum thermocouple
for temperatures above 660 oc. For the region above the gold freezing
point, temperatures were defined in terms of the Wien radiation law :
in practice, this invariably resulted in the selection of an optical
pyrometer as the realizing instrument.

The International Temperature Scale of 1948 (ITS-48)

The International Temperature Scale of 1948 was adopted by the

ninth Conference Generale. Changes from the ITS-27 were: the lower
limit of the platinum resistance thermometer range was changed from
- 190 oc to the defined oxygen boiling point of - 182,97 oc, and the
junction of the platinum resistance thermometer range and the
thermocouple range became the measured antimony freezing point (about
630 oq in place of 660 oc ; the silver freezing point was defined as
being 960,8 oc instead of 960,5 T ; the gold freezing point replaced the
gold melting point (1 063 oq; the Planck radiation law replaced the
Wien law ; the value assigned to the second radiation constant became
1,438 x 10-2 m·K in place of 1,432 x 10- 2 m·K; the permitted ranges
for the constants of the interpolation formulae for the standard resistance
thermometer and thermocouple were modified ; the limitation on AT for
optical pyrometry (AT o::;; 3 x 10- 3 m· K) was changed to the requirement
that « visible » radiation be used.

Published in the Proces-verbaux du Comite International des Poids et Mesures, 78th meeting, 1989
 - T41-

The International Practical Temperature Scale of 1948 (Amended Edition

of 1960) (IPTS-48)

The International Practical Temperature Scale of 1948, amended

edition of 1960, was adopted by the eleventh Conference Generale: tHe
tenth Conference Generale had already adopted the triple point of water
as the sole point defining the kelvin, the unit of thermodynamic
temperature. In addition to the introduction of the word «Practical»,
the modifications to the ITS-48 were: the triple point of water, defined
as being 0,01 ac, replaced the melting point of ice as the calibration
point in this region ; the freezing point of zinc, defined as being
419,505 ac, became a preferred alternative to the sulphur boiling point
(444,6 aC) as a calibration point ; the permitted ranges for the constants
of the interpolation formulae for the standard resistance thermometer
and the thermocouple were further modified ; the restriction to « visible »
radiation for optical pyrometry was removed.
Inasmuch as the numerical values of temperature on the IPTS-48
were the same as on the ITS-48, the former was not a revision of the
scale of 1948 but merely an amended form of it.

The International Practical Temperature Scale of 1968 (IPTS-68)

In 1968 the Comite International des Poids et Mesures promulgated

the International Practical Temperature Scale of 1968, having been
empowered to do so by the thirteenth Conference Generale of 1967-
1968. The IPTS-68 incorporated very extensive changes from the IPTS-
48. These included numerical changes, designed to bring it more nearly
in accord with thermodynamic temperatures, that were sufficiently large
to be apparent to many users. Other changes were as follows : the
lower limit of the scale was extended down to 13,81 K ; at even lower
temperatures (0,5 K to 5,2 K), the use of two helium vapour pressure
scales was recommended ; six new defining fixed points were introduced
- the triple point of equilibrium hydrogen (13,81 K), an intermediate
equilibrium hydrogen point (17,042 K), the normal boiling point of
equilibrium hydrogen (20,28 K), the boiling point of neon (27,102 K),
the triple point of oxygen (54,361 K), and the freezing point of tin
(231,9681 aq which became a permitted alternative to the boiling point
of water ; the boiling point of sulphur was deleted ; the values assigned
to four fixed points were changed - the boiling point of oxygen
(90,188 K), the freezing point of zinc (419,58 aC), the freezing point of
silver (961,93 °C), and the freezing point of gold (1 064,43 OC); the
interpolating formulae for the resistance thermometer range became
much more complex ; the value assigned to the second radiation
constant c2 became 1,4388 x 10-2 m· K; the permitted ranges of -the
constants for the interpolation formulae for the resistance thermometer
and thermocouple were again modified.

Published in the Proces-verbaux du Comite International des Poids et Mesures, 78th meeting, 1989
 - T42-

The International Practical Temperature Scale of 1968 (Amended Edition

of 1975) (IPTS-68)

The International Practical Temperature Scale of 1968, amended

edition of 1975, was adopted by the fifteenth Conference Generale in
1975. As was the case for the IPTS-48 with respect to the ITS-48, the
IPTS-68 (75) introduced no numerical changes. Most of the extensive
textual changes were intended only to clarify and simplify its use. More
substantive changes were : the oxygen point was defined as the
condensation point rather than the boiling point ; the triple point of
argon (83,798 K) was introduced as a permitted alternative to the
condensation point of oxygen ; new values of the isotopic composition
of naturally occurring neon were adopted ; the recommendation to use
values of T given by the 1958 4He and 1962 3He vapour-pressure scales
was rescinded.

The 1976 Provisional 0,5 K to 30 K Temperature Scale (EPT-76)

The 1976 Provisional 0,5 K to 30 K Temperature Scale was introduced

to meet two important requirements : these were to provide means of
substantially reducing the errors (with respect to corresponding ther­
modynamic values) below 27 K that were then known to exist in the
IPTS-68 and throughout the temperature ranges of the 4He and 3He
vapour pressure scales of 1958 and 1962 respectively, and to bridge the
gap between 5,2 K and 13,81 K in which there had not previously been
an international scale. Other objectives in devising the EPT-76 were
« that it should be thermodynamically smooth, that it should be
continuous with the IPTS-68 at 27,1 K, and that is should agree with
thermodynamic temperature T as closely as these two conditions allow».
In contrast with the IPTS-68, and to ensure its rapid adoption, several
methods of realizing the EPT-76 were approved. These included : using
a thermodynamic interpolation instrument and one or more of eleven
assigned reference points ; taking differences from the IPTS-68 above
13,81 K; taking differences from helium vapour pressure scales below
5 K; and taking differences from certain well-established laboratory
scales. Because there was a certain « lack of internal consistency » it
was admitted that «slight ambiguities between realizations» might be
introduced. However the advantages gained by adopting the EPT-76 as
a working scale until such time as the IPTS-68 should be revised and
extended were considered to outweigh the disadvantages.

Published in the Proces-verbaux du Comite International des Poids et Mesures, 78th meeting, 1989
 IMPRIMERIE DURAND

28600 LUISANT (fRANCE)

Depot legal: Imprimeur, 1990, no 7315

ISBN 92-822-2108-3

ACHEVE D'IMPRIMER: DECEMBRE 1990

Imprime en France

Published in the Proces-verbaux du Comite International des Poids et Mesures, 78th meeting, 1989