Metal Expansion Formulas: Expert Insights and Coefficients

May 17, 2024 Roberto Magalhães

1. Table of Thermal Expansion Coefficients in Metallic Materials

Material	Thermal expansion coefficient	Length	Temperature		Variation
Material	*10-6/℃	Length	Temperature		Variation
mild steel	11.7	100	100	0.000001	0.117
NAK80	12.5	100	200	0.000001	0.25
SKD61	10.8	100	300	0.000001	0.324
SKH51	10.1	100	400	0.000001	0.404
Alloy Dura V40	6	100	500	0.000001	0.3
SUS440C	10.2	100	100	0.000001	0.102
Oxygen-free steel C1020	17.6	100	500	0.000001	0.88
6/4 Brass C2801	20.8	100	600	0.000001	1,248
Beryllium Copper C1720	17.1	100	700	0.000001	1,197
A1100 Aluminum	23.6	100	475	0.000001	0.30267
Hard Aluminum A7075	23.6	100	500	0.000001	1.18
aluminum alloy	23.8	100	350	0.000001	0.833
Pure Aluminum	23	100	350	0.000001	0.805
Titanium	8.4	100	500	0.000001
Gray cast iron	9	100	350	0.000001	0.315
General Cast Iron	10.5	100	50	0.000001	0.0525
Cast iron	10.5	100	50	0.000001	0.0525
General Carbon Steel	11.5	100	200	0.000001	0.23
Martensitic Stainless Steel	1.01	100	200	0.000001	0.0202
Austenitic Stainless Steel	1.6	100	200	0.000001	0.032
Stainless steel	14.4-16	100	200	0.000001	#VALUE!
Chrome Steel	11.5	1000	20	0.000001	0.23
Nickel Steel	14	100	200	0.000001	0.28
Copper	18.5	100	200	0.000001	0.37
Bronze	17.5	100	200	0.000001	0.35
Brass	18.4	100	200	0.000001	0.368
Phosphor Bronze	15.2	100	200	0.000001	0.304
Chrome	6.2	100	200	0.000001	0.124
Lead	29.3	100	200	0.000001	0.586
Tin	26.7	100	200	0.000001	0.534
Zinc	36	100	200	0.000001	0.72
Magnesium	26	100	200	0.000001	0.52
Tungsten	4.5	100	200	0.000001	0.09
Titanium	10.8	100	200	0.000001	0.216
Nickel	13	100	200	0.000001	0.26
Cadmium	41	100	200	0.000001
Manganese	23	100	200	0.000001	0.46
Beryllium	12.3	100	200	0.000001	0.246
Germanium	6	100	200	0.000001	0.12
Iridium	6.5	100	200	0.000001	0.13
Molybdenum	5.2	100	200	0.000001	0.104
Platinum	9	100	200	0.000001	0.18
Silver	19.5	100	200	0.000001	0.39
Gold	14.2	100	200	0.000001	0.284
Window glass	7.6	100	200	0.000001	0.152
Industrial Glass	4.5	100	200	0.000001	0.09
Ordinary glass	7.1	100	200	0.000001	0.112
Pyrex glass	3.25	100	200	0.000001	0.065
Ceramic Glass	<0.1	100	200	0.000001	#VALUE!
Porcelain	3	100	200	0.000001	0.06
Brick	5	100	200	0.000001	0.1
Rebar	1.2	100	200	0.000001	0.024
Concrete	1.0-1.5	100	200	0.000001	#VALUE!
Cement	6.0-14	100	200	0.000001	#VALUE!
Granite	3	100	200	0.000001	0.06
Graphite	two	100	200	0.000001	0.04
Nylon	120	100	200	0.000001	2.4
Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)	85	100	200	0.000001	1.7
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)	80	100	200	0.000001	1.6
Carbon Fiber (HM 35 in Longitudinal)	-0.5	100	200	0.000001	-0.01
Wood	8	100	200	0.000001	0.16
Table salt	40	100	200	0.000001	0.8
Ice, 0℃	51	100	200	0.000001	1.02

2. Calculation Method for Dimensional Change Caused by Thermal Expansion

Example using material: SKD61

Given away:

Diameter (d) = 2 mm
Length (L) = 100 mm
Temperature increase = 100°C

The dimensional change δ can be calculated as follows:

δ = Coefficient of thermal expansion * Length * Temperature change

Using the provided values:

δ = 10.8 × 10 ^-6 /°C * 100 mm * 100°C= 0.108 mm

Therefore, the dimensional change (δ) caused by the thermal expansion of the SKD61 rod, with a diameter of 2 mm and a length of 100 mm, when the temperature increases by 100°C, is 0.108 mm.

3. Linear Thermal Expansion Coefficient

Metallic names	Element Symbols	Linear Thermal Expansion Coefficient
Beryllium	To be	12.3
Antimony	Sb	10.5
Copper	Ass	17.5
Chrome	Cr	6.2
Germanium	Ge	6.0
Iridium	Go	6.5
Manganese	Mn	23.0
Nickel	No	13.0
Silver	Ag	19.5
Aluminum	Al	23.2
Lead	Pb	29.3
Cadmium	CD	41.0
Iron	Faith	12.2
Gold	Au	14.2
Magnesium	mg	26.0
Molybdenum	Mo	5.2
Platinum	Point	9.0
Tin	Sn	2.0