Pipes and Tubes - Temperature Expansion

http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/thermal-expansion-pipes-d_283.html

The temperature expansion of pipes depends on the start and final temperature of the pipe and the expansion coefficient of the piping material at the actual temperature. The general expansion formula can be expressed as: dl = Lo dt where dl = expansion (m, inches) Lo = length of pipe (m, inches) dt = temperature difference (oC, oF) = linear expansion coefficient (m/m oK, in/inoF) Mean expansion coefficient may vary with temperature as: (1)

Mean Expansion Coefficient - - (10-6 in/in oF) Temperature Range (oF) Material Alloy Steel (1% Cr. 1/2% Mo) Mild Steel (0.1 - 0.2% C) Stainless Steel (18% Cr. 8% Ni) - 32 7.7 7.1 10.8 32 - 212 32 - 400 32 - 600 32 - 750 32 - 900 8.0 7.8 11.1 8.4 8.3 11.5 8.8 8.7 11.8 9.2 9.0 12.1 9.6 9.5 12.4 32 1100 9.8 9.7 12.6 12.8 32 1300

Formula (1) can also be used with SI units. The expansion coefficient must be adjusted to oC.

T(oC) = 5/9[T(oF) - 32] 1 in (inch) = 25.4 mm 1 ft (foot) = 0.3048 m Expansion coefficients for some common materials

Example - Thermal Expansion of Heated Alloy Steel

100 feet of alloy steel pipe is heated from 32 to 212oF. The expansion coefficient is 8 10-6 (in/inoF). The expansion can be expressed as: dl = (8 10-6 in/inoF)(100 feet) (12 in/ft) ((212 oF) - (32 oF)) = 1.728 inches

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8/18/2011 12:46 PM