I am looking for tags that can operate in areas of high temperature (650 degrees Celsius, or 1,202 degrees Fahrenheit) and high pressure (200 PSI). Do such tags exist?
—Name withheld
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William Frick & Co. sells tags designed for high-impact and high-temperature environments. Different tags can withstand temperatures ranging from 300 degrees to 650 degrees Fahrenheit (149 degrees to 343 degrees Celsius) for up to two hours.
In addition, Technologies ROI has produced a steel-shrouded UHF EPC Gen 2 tag built to sustain abuse, that can be welded to metal pipes or tools for the oil and gas, construction or other heavy industrial sectors (see Armored-RFID Tag Loves to Get Hammered).
I have not heard of tags that can withstand 650 degrees Celsius, however. The problem at that temperature level is that the solder connecting the antenna to the tag tends to melt. Still, Frick might have something that can meet your needs.
—Mark Roberti, Editor, RFID Journal