List of Thermal Expansion Coefficients (CTE) for Natural and Engineered Materials

The thermal expansion coefficients of materials are essential metrics that reveal how materials respond to temperature changes. The materials span a range of engineered and natural substances, and their coefficients shed light on their thermal behaviors. The thermal expansion coefficient is represented by α and quantifies the fractional size change of a substrate per unit temperature variation. Positive coefficients indicate expansion and negative ones showcase contraction.

The thermal expansion coefficients of materials vary significantly and influence structural durability and performance in industries like electronics and construction. The material coefficient of thermal expansion for steel, for example, is determined by how much the structure's dimensions change in response to temperature variations. 

Natural materials like copper or aluminum have noteworthy coefficients, while natural stones like granite and marble have more distinct terminal expansion characteristics. That makes these materials essential for use in construction. Polymers like polyethylene's coefficient properties make them a good choice for use in daily products. Composite materials, with their nuanced expansion behaviors, are suited for use in automotive and aerospace applications.

What Is Linear Thermal Expansion? 

Linear thermal expansion refers to a material's capacity to expand in length when subjected to an increase in temperature. This happens because the kinetic energy of the material's molecules surges, leading to a vibration that creates more space between them. Conversely, a reduction in temperature, which reduces vibrational energy, causes the material to contract. 

The expansion is quantified by using the coefficient of linear expansion, a formula representing the fractional change in length per unit temperature change. The coefficient of linear expansion looks as follows: 

• ΔL = L₀αΔT

ΔL represents the change in length, α is the coefficient of linear expansion, L₀ refers to the start length and ΔT is the temperature adjustment. The linear thermal expansion property is essential to various engineering applications. These applications often include designing components or structures exposed to temperature variations, like bridges.

What Is the Coefficient of Thermal Expansion?

The coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) is defined as the fractional change in length or volume per unit temperature change. It quantifies a material's propensity to contract or expand as temperatures change. CTE for an area is mathematically expressed as:

• α = ΔL/(L₀ * ΔT)

ΔL refers to the change in length, L₀ is the original length and ΔT represents the change in temperature. 

It is vital for engineers to predict how materials may behave under various temperature fluctuations correctly. This prediction offers critical insights into material choice and structural integrity design considerations. It allows engineers to accommodate these dimensional changes in CTE materials. Materials with lower CTE offer decent dimensional stability. Higher CTE indicates more contraction or expansion in a substrate, which aligns with use in structures that need more flexibility to adjust to temperature changes. 

How Are MSE Supplies Products Used?

MSE Supplies is a leading supplier of high-quality materials, equipment and materials characterization services for advanced materials research and manufacturing. Our Analytical Services provide professional Dilatometry and Thermal Expansion Coefficient (CTE) Testing. Alternatively, make use of our dilatometry testing services, which use NETZSCH DIL 402 PC or similar instruments.

The following is a list of the most popular applications of our products, including LED, ferroelectrics, piezoelectric, electro-optical, photonics, high-power electronics and high-frequency power devices.

^*) m/m = meter per meter

Most values for temperature are set at 25 ^oC (77 ^oF):

• t_K = t_C + 273.16
• 1 in (inch) = 25.4 mm
• 1 ft (foot) = 0.3048 m

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