A material property defined as the ratio of the change in length per original length (or change in volume per original volume) to the incremental change in temperature from a reference. Typically an order of magnitude higher for metals relative to glasses.
The fractional change in length or volume of a material resulting from a given change in temperature. (Strictly speaking, the values given in the chart are only an approximation of true thermal expansion, since the testing method excludes the effects of moisture content, curing, plasticizer loss and other factors.) Test results are given in terms of inches/inch /degree Fahrenheit—that is, the amount of thermal expansion in inches/per inch of plastic sheet/per degree of change in temperature.
the rate at which a material contracts or expands with changes in temperature. Usually expressed in units of in/in per degree F.
How much a material shape will change for each degree of temperature change.
The linear expansion or contraction per unit length per degree temperatures between specified lower and upper temperatures.
A measure of how much a material will lengthen (or shorten upon cooling) based on its original length and the temperature difference it is exposed to. It becomes important when dimensions are critical or when two different materials with different CTE's are attached to each other, such as an unfilled thermoplastic and steel. Stress induced by this difference can become considerable. Usually expressed in terms of length/length/unit temperature.
(r) the increment in volume of a unit volume of material for a rise of one degree temperature at constant pressure.
The dimensional change of an object with temperature is measured in microinches/inch/°C. Graphite has a negative axial CTE.
The change in dimension of a material as a function of temperature. It is usually reported in inches per inch per øF or millimeters per millimeter per øC.
CTE: a numerical representation of the rate at which a material will exhibit dimensional changes as a direct result of changes in temperature.
The measurement of the length change of ceramic materials under temperature change. Ceramics expand while heating and contract while cooling.
(CTE) Ratio of dimensional change to a degree change in temperature.
A material's fractional change in length for a given unit change of temperature.
Change in unit length per degree change of temperature.
Defines the amount a material expands and contracts due to changes in temperature. If materials with different coefficients of thermal expansion are bonded together, changes in temperature will cause shear forces at the interface between them.
Either volumetric or linear this describes the expansion that occurs with a change in temperature. Volumetric describes the volume change whereas linear describes the change in dimensions.
A measure of the tendency of an adhesive to expand with a temperature increase or contract with a temperature decrease. A higher number means a larger change up and down as the temperature rises and falls respectively.
A mathematical formulation used to predict the change in dimension (typically length) of a material as a function of temperature change.
the unit change in dimension of a material for a unit change in temperature.
The ratio of dimensional change of an object to the original dimension when temperature changes, expressed in %/ºC or ppm/ºC.
The fractional change in dimension (sometimes volume) specified of a material (plastic, metal or other materials) per a unit change in temperature.
The ratio of change in dimension per unit change in temperature.
Average material expansion per degree of temperature over a defined range, expressed as a fraction of initial dimension.
Change in a unit of length or volume that accompanies a unit change in temperature.
Material expansion under influence of temperature change [µm/°K m], relevant for linear scales.
The relative increase of the volume of a system (or substance) with increasing temperature in an isobaric process. In symbols this coefficient is where is the volume, the temperature, and the pressure. See Charles–Gay–Lussac law; compare coefficient of compressibility, coefficient of tension.
The fractional change in length of a material for each unit change in temperature.
During heat transfer, the energy that is stored in the intermolecular bonds between atoms changes. When the stored energy increases, so does the length of the molecular bond.
