What materials are thermometers made of?

Common thermometer materials include glass, plastic, metal, and ceramic/quartz. Glass thermometers (temperature resistant to 300°C) offer high transparency and chemical resistance, making them suitable for high-temperature laboratory environments. Plastic thermometers (made of polyethylene/polypropylene) are lightweight (less than 50g), cost-effective (30-50% less expensive than glass), and mechanically shock-resistant (withstands 5J impacts), making them commonly used in teaching or industrial settings. Metal thermometers (made of copper/steel/aluminum) offer an accuracy of ±0.1°C, high sensitivity (response time less than 3 seconds for copper), and friction resistance, making them suitable for precision machinery monitoring. Ceramic and quartz thermometers are used in specialized applications. For example, quartz can withstand pressures exceeding 100 MPa, making it suitable for extreme high-temperature and high-pressure environments.