Thermal Expansion Calculator
Calculate how much a material expands or contracts with temperature changes.
Supports steel, aluminum, copper, and wood.
Expansion Amount
Linear thermal expansion describes how the length of a material changes with temperature:
ΔL = α × L₀ × ΔT
Where:
- ΔL = change in length
- α = coefficient of linear expansion (per °C)
- L₀ = original length
- ΔT = change in temperature
Coefficients of linear expansion (×10⁻⁶ per °C):
| Material | α (per °C) |
|---|---|
| Steel | 12.0 |
| Aluminum | 23.1 |
| Copper | 16.5 |
| Wood (along grain) | 3.0–5.0 |
| Concrete | 12.0 |
| Glass | 8.5 |
Practical examples (10 ft steel beam, 100°F rise):
- Steel: expands 0.08 inches
- Aluminum: expands 0.15 inches
Why it matters:
- Bridge expansion joints accommodate thermal movement
- Railroad tracks can buckle in extreme heat
- Plumbing must account for pipe expansion
- Construction gaps prevent structural damage