Linear expansion
Delta L = alpha x L0 x Delta T
Material property lookup
Thermal Expansion Coefficients of Common Materials
Compare how common materials expand with temperature for tolerance, fit, and thermal-stress checks.
Instant expansion lookup
Select a material or case
Select a material to view linear coefficient of thermal expansion.
Selected value
Reference table
Thermal expansion coefficient table
| Material | Group | CTE (um/m.K) | CTE (10-6/deg F) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | Metal | 23 | 12.8 | Common aluminum reference |
| Carbon Steel | Metal | 12 | 6.7 | Typical steel value |
| Stainless Steel | Metal | 17 | 9.4 | Austenitic stainless reference |
| Copper | Metal | 16.5 | 9.2 | Typical copper value |
| Brass | Metal | 19 | 10.6 | Varies by alloy |
| Titanium | Metal | 8.6 | 4.8 | Lower expansion metal |
| Glass | Ceramic | 9 | 5.0 | Soda-lime glass |
| Concrete | Construction | 10 | 5.6 | Mix and aggregate dependent |
| Polycarbonate | Polymer | 65 | 36.1 | Thermoplastic reference |
| PVC | Polymer | 52 | 28.9 | Rigid PVC reference |
| Wood Along Grain | Wood | 5 | 2.8 | Moisture often dominates dimensional change |
Formulas
Thermal expansion formulas
Thermal strain
epsilon_thermal = alpha x Delta T
Thermal expansion coefficients vary with temperature and material condition. Use the relevant temperature range for precision work.
Reference
How engineers use thermal expansion
Fits and clearances
CTE helps predict dimensional changes across operating temperature ranges.
Thermal stress
Restrained expansion can create stress in components and assemblies.
Mixed materials
Different CTE values can cause warping, loosening, or cracking.
Tolerance stackups
Thermal growth matters when precision dimensions must hold across temperatures.
FAQ
Thermal expansion questions
What is coefficient of thermal expansion?
It is the fractional change in length per unit temperature change.
What is CTE of aluminum?
A common reference value for aluminum is about 23 um/(m.K).
Why does thermal expansion matter?
It affects fits, clearances, thermal stress, and dimensional stability.
Related
Common material property tables
Bulk Modulus of Common Materials
Bulk modulus values for common solids and fluids used in compressibility checks.
Density of Common Materials
Density values for metals, polymers, ceramics, and construction materials.
Friction Coefficients of Common Materials
Static and kinetic friction coefficients for common material pairs.
Hardness Conversion Table
Approximate Rockwell, Brinell, Vickers, and tensile strength conversion values.
Melting Point of Common Materials
Melting point reference values for common metals, plastics, and engineering materials.
Poisson's Ratio of Common Materials
Poisson ratio values for common engineering solids.