Engineering Calculators
Thermal Expansion Calculator
Estimate linear thermal expansion of a component from its material, geometry and operating temperature range.
Inputs
Lightweight non-ferrous alloy with high thermal expansion.
mm
Length of the component at the initial temperature.
deg C
Component temperature at start.
deg C
Component temperature at end.
Formula used
// Linear thermal expansion
dL = a x L0 x dT
L = L0 + dL
- a coefficient of linear thermal expansion
- L0 initial length
- dT temperature change (T2 - T1)
- dL linear expansion (length change)
Live result
Expansion (dL)
+1.386mm
1,386 um
Final length (L)
1,001.39mm
L0 = 1,000 mm
Selected material
Aluminium
Frames, brackets, heat sinks, aerospace.
Coefficient (a)
23.10um/m/C
= 23.10 ppm/C
Temperature change (dT)
+60deg C
From 20 to 80 deg C
Strain (dL / L0)
1.386mm/m
Linear strain induced by dT
Calculation summary
// Aluminium | metric
a = 2.310e-5 /C (23.10 um/m/C)
L0 = 1,000 mm
dT = 80 - 20 = 60 deg C
dL = a x L0 x dT = 1.386 mm
L = L0 + dL = 1,001.39 mm
Material properties used
- Material
- Aluminium
- Coefficient (a)
- 23.10 ppm/C
- Typical use
- Frames, brackets, heat sinks, aerospace.
Coefficient values are typical reference figures. Actual expansion varies with alloy grade, temper and operating temperature range. Use at your own risk and verify against the specific material datasheet for safety-critical analysis.
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