You would like to perform a thermal expansion measurement on your materials
Anticipating the dimensional variations of a material in response to thermal changes
Thermal expansion is a physical property that describes the dimensional change of a material when it undergoes a temperature change (increase or decrease). This can result in elongation, contraction, or even a change in volume, depending on the geometry.
Determining the coefficient of thermal expansion (linear, surface, or volumetric, depending on the application) is essential for anticipating dimensional deformations in service, ensuring material compatibility, preventing thermal stresses, and guaranteeing the reliability of parts or assemblies subjected to temperature variations.
The FILAB laboratory performs thermal expansion measurements
In what context should a thermal expansion measurement be performed?
This thermal analysis is relevant when you need to:
- verify the dimensional stability of a material or component subjected to changing thermal conditions
- compare several materials to choose the one whose thermal expansion remains compatible with your dimensional constraints
- validate the compatibility between different materials (metal/polymer/glass/ceramic) used together to anticipate stresses, deformations, risks of cracking or deterioration
- model the behavior of an assembly or system under thermal stresses to dimension tolerances, clearances, fasteners, etc.
- perform quality controls or investigations when dimensional anomalies are related to thermal cycling (e.g., dimensional changes, decoherence, deformations).
Our laboratory thermal analysis services
From analysis to R&D, the FILAB laboratory offers multi-sector services to meet a wide range of thermal analysis requirements, including :
FAQ
Thermal expansion refers to the change in dimensions of a material when it is subjected to a change in temperature. Depending on the nature of the material, this change can be linear, surface, or volumetric.
This measurement allows us to anticipate deformations of a component in service, to assess its dimensional stability, and to ensure compatibility between several assembled materials. It is essential data for preventing internal stresses, cracking, loss of fit, or functional defects.
The service applies to a wide range of materials:
- Metals and alloys (aluminum, steel, titanium, copper, etc.): used in aerospace, transportation, additive manufacturing, etc.
- Polymers, composites, resins: found in medical devices, cosmetics, technical packaging, plastics processing, etc.
- Ceramics, glasses: for industrial, optical, high-temperature, and insulating applications, etc.
- Various technical materials and composites: for any application requiring controlled dimensional stability.
A sample is heated or cooled according to a defined thermal program. A displacement sensor continuously records its dimensional change. Depending on the technique used (dilatometry or thermomechanical analysis), the measurement can also reveal phase transitions.
The results generally include:
- the coefficient of thermal expansion,
- stretch/length curves,
- transition points (Tg, devitrification, solid → liquid phase…),
- dimensional stability over the studied thermal range.
Thermal expansion measurement is useful in:
- aerospace,
- medical devices,
- electronics and optics,
- transportation and energy,
- polymer, composite, or metallic materials,
- high-temperature environments,
- additive manufacturing
