Measurement of Thermal Expansion Coefficient Using Strain Gages

w w w. v i s h a y m g . c o m VMR-TC0513-0501 The thermal expansion coefficient is a very basic physical property which can be of considerable importance in mechanical and structural design applications of a material. Although there are many published tabulations of expansion coefficients for the common metals and standard alloys, the need occasionally arises to measure this propertay for a specific material over a particular temperature range. In some cases (e.g., new or special alloys, composites, etc.), there is apt to be no published data whatsoever on expansion coefficients. In others, data may exist (and eventually be found), but may encompass the wrong temperature range, apply to somewhat different material, or be otherwise unsuited to the application.