Thermal expansivity

Competency Group: Material Science

Type: Measure Hardware

Description: Thermal expansivity is given by the equation α = Change in length/original length X change in temperature E.g. How much does a material expand when it is subjected to heat.

Citation for Description: Description by authors

Units: K-1

Advantages: Very useful to see how a material behaves in specific shapes with respect to temperature.

Limitations: Negligible for a lot of materials.

Regulations: ASTM International. (n.d). ASTM E228 — 11 Standard Test Method for Linear Thermal Expansion of Solid Materials With a Push-Rod Dilatometer. Retrieved from http://www.astm.org/Standards/E228.htm

Target Audience: Engineering, R&D

Relevant to Universal Design: No

Stages and Steps: 2.2, 4.2, 4.3, 4.12, 7.1, 7.2

Free Resource: Engineers Edge. (2012). Fastener / Bolt Thermal Expansion / Contraction Application and Equation. Retrieved from http://www.engineersedge.com/thread_strength/thread_tension_heat.htm

Purchase Resource: Tritt, T. M. (2004). Physics of Solids and Liquids: Thermal Conductivity — Theory, Properties, and Applications. New York, NY: Plenum Publishers.