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Linear Thermal Expansion

Linear temperature expansion - online calculator

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When an object is heated or cooled, its length changes by an amount proportional to the original length and the change in temperature. The linear thermal expansion of an object can be expressed as

dl = L₀ α (t₁ - t₀) (1)

where

dl = change in object length (m, inches)

L₀ = initial length of object (m, inches)

α = linear expansion coefficient (m/m^oC, in/in^oF)

t₀ = initial temperature (^oC, ^oF)

t₁ = final temperature (^oC, ^oF)

Note! - linear expansion coefficients for most materials varies with temperature.

Example - Expansion of Copper, Carbon and Stainless Steel Pipes

For wider temperature ranges - calculate for smaller spans and integrate the results.

Online Thermal Linear Expansion Calculator

Linear Temperature Coefficients - α - for some common metals

aluminum : 0.000023 (m/m^oC)
steel: 0.000012 (m/m^oC)
copper: 0.000017 (m/m^oC)
more coefficients ..
more metals ..

Example - Expansion of an Aluminum Beam

Aluminum beam - thermal expansion

An aluminum construction is designed for temperatures ranging -30^oC to 50^oC. If a beam's length is 6 m when assembled at 20^oC - the shortest length of the beam at minimum temperature -30^oC can be calculated as

dl = (6 m) + (6 m) (0.000023 m/m^oC) ((-30 ^oC) - (20 ^oC))

= 5.993 m

The longest length of the beam at maximum temperature 50^oC can be calculated as

dl = (6 m) + (6 m) (0.000023 m/m^oC) ((50 ^oC) - (20 ^oC))

= 6.004 m

Superficial Expansion

The amount by which a unit area of a material increases when the temperature is raised by one degree is called the coefficient of superficial (area) expansion.

Cubic Expansion

The amount by which a unit volume of a material increases when the temperature is raised by one degree is called the coefficient of cubic expansion.

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Related Topics

Temperature Expansion - Thermal expansion of pipes and tubes - stainless steel, carbon steel, copper, plastics and more
Thermodynamics - Effects of work, heat and energy on systems

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