MEC 0325.

1-1 MATERIAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING FOR ME

EXPERIMENT NO. 3

THERMAL EXPANSION OF ALUMINUM, STEEL, AND IRON.

GROUP 2

Members:

Dela Cruz, Ria Divine T.

Miguel, Daniel M.

Nabotas, Jhon Gabriel O.

Villadarez, Rianne Kelly E.

ENGR. ARNEL Q. LUCAS

Professor

March 19, 2024

 THERMAL EXPANSION OF ALUMINUM, STEEL, AND
IRON.

I. Abstract/Introduction
Most materials experience an increase in the average amplitude of their
atoms' vibration when heat is applied. The material expands as a result of this
increasing space between the atoms. If the temperature change, ∆𝑇, is such that the
material does not go through a phase change, then it can be shown that the change
in the object's length, ∆𝐿, is given by the equation:

∆𝐿 = α𝐿∆𝑇

Rearranging:
∆𝐿
α= 𝐿𝑖∆𝑇

where α is the linear expansion coefficient of the material, 𝐿 is the initial length of the
object before heat is added, and ∆𝑇 is the temperature change. Accepted α values
of several common materials are given below in Table 1.
However, this effect isn't limited to occurring in materials with higher
temperatures. The object will contract if its temperature decreases due to a loss of
energy in the material. The temperature change, ∆𝑇 from Equation 1 is always found
by subtracting the initial temperature of the object from the final temperature, or
∆𝑇 = 𝑇𝑓 − 𝑇𝑖. Therefore, if ∆𝑇 < 0, ∆𝐿 will also be negative, indicating a length

contraction. This concept is demonstrable by Equation 1 which shows that ∆𝐿 is not

only dependent on ∆𝑇 but also on the initial length of the object, 𝐿𝑖. So, the longer

the object, the greater the change in its length.

As engineers, we must always consider thermal expansion and contraction as
critical factors to consider in the design of products with close tolerance fits. When
materials with different coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) are used in such
designs, the dimensional changes caused by temperature fluctuations can
significantly impact the fit and functionality of the product. It can induce significant
stresses within components if not properly accounted for, which can lead to
deformation, warping, or even failure of the structure or component. Therefore,
designers must anticipate and accommodate thermal expansion and contraction to
ensure the longevity and functionality of the product. The phenomena of thermal
expansion can be challenging when designing bridges, buildings, aircraft, and
spacecraft, but it can be put to beneficial uses.

Table 1. Accepted values for the coefficient of thermal expansion, α.

Material Temperature Coefficient of Linear
Expansion
[μ𝑚/(𝑚∙°𝐶)]
Aluminum 23.1
Steel 11.0-13.2
Iron 12.1

Refer to pg. 552 of Strength of Materials 4th Edition by Andrew Pytel and Ferdinand
L. Singer.

II. Objectives
The exploration of the coefficients of thermal expansion for metals, specifically
Aluminum, Steel, and Iron, is essential in various engineering applications, especially
for us as students. While these materials exhibit thermal expansion, it is crucial to
comprehend the specific temperature-induced dimensional changes. Conducting
experiments in this area serves several objectives:

● To gain knowledge about the thermal expansion characteristics of specific

metals, including Aluminum, Steel, and Iron.
● To assess the potential impact of temperature changes on the dimensions of
these metals by understanding their coefficients of linear expansion.
 ● To comprehend the experimental procedure, including the setup,
measurements, and calculations involved in determining the coefficients of
thermal expansion.
● To explore real-world applications of the coefficient of thermal expansion in
various industries, emphasizing its significance in materials science and
engineering.

III. Materials
● Metal rod or strip (Aluminum, Steel, and Iron).
● Ruler or Vernier Caliper for measurements.
● Heat source (e.g., Bunsen burner, hot plate, or torch).
● Thermometer or temperature sensor.
● Clamp or support stand.

IV. Procedure
1. Setup:
a. Securely clamp the metal rod or strip horizontally using a clamp
or support stand.
b. Ensure that the rod is free to expand lengthwise without being
constrained.
2. Initial Measurements:
a. Measure and record the initial length (𝐿𝑖) of the metal rod using a

ruler or caliper.
b. Measure and record the initial temperature (𝑇𝑖) of the rod using

a thermometer or temperature sensor.

3. Heating the Rod:
a. Apply heat to one end of the metal rod using a Bunsen burner,
hot plate, or torch.
b. Heat the rod uniformly along its length to avoid localized
expansion.
 c. Monitor and record the temperature (𝑇𝑓) of the rod as it heats

up.
4. Final Measurements:
a. Measure and record the final length (𝐿𝑓) of the metal rod at the

elevated temperature using a ruler or caliper.

b. Ensure accurate measurements by aligning the ruler or caliper
with the ends of the rod.
5. Calculations:
a. Calculate the change in length (∆𝐿) of the metal rod using the
formula: ∆𝐿 = 𝐿𝑓 - 𝐿𝑖.

b. Calculate the temperature change (∆𝑇) of the metal rod using

the formula: ∆𝑇 = 𝑇𝑓 - 𝑇𝑖.

c. Calculate the coefficient of thermal expansion (α) using the

formula: α = ∆L / (𝐿𝑓 * ∆T).

V. Questions to Answer
1. What is the effect of different heating rates or cooling rates on the coefficient
of thermal expansion?
➢ The speed at which you heat up or cool down a material affects its
coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) because of how the atoms
inside it move around. When heating or cooling happens quickly, the
atoms don't have enough time to settle into their new positions
smoothly. This causes more stress and bigger changes in size for each
degree of temperature change, resulting in a higher CTE. However,
when the heating or cooling process is slower, the atoms have more
time to adjust, leading to smaller changes in size per degree of
temperature change and thus a lower CTE. This is particularly
important in materials like glass, where the way they're heated and
cooled impacts their structure.
2. How does the length of the metal object influence the change in its length due
to thermal expansion?
➢ The length of a metal object plays a crucial role in determining the
extent of its thermal expansion. Specifically, longer metal objects
undergo a more significant change in length compared to shorter ones
when exposed to the same temperature variation. This difference
arises from the fact that longer objects have a greater amount of
material available for expansion or contraction, leading to a more
pronounced alteration in length. Conversely, shorter metal objects
experience a relatively smaller change in length under identical thermal
conditions.

3. Discuss the importance of the coefficient of thermal expansion in different

industries and determine the potential consequences of neglecting thermal
expansion in engineering applications.
➢ The Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE) is critical across
industries, affecting the design, construction, and maintenance of
various products and structures. Metals like aluminum, with high CTEs,
are prevalent in applications such as electrical wiring and heat sinks.
The CTE determines how much a material changes in size when
heated or cooled. For example, in casting electrical components, a
mismatched CTE can cause cracking or poor adhesion to conductors,
which can lead to oil leaks or corona.
 VI. Results and Discussion

Data Analysis:
a. Record all measurements and calculations in a table (Refer to Table 2)

Table 2. Data Acquired from the Experiment.

Measurement of Dimensions. Measurement of Temperature.

Coefficient Percent
of Error
Material Initial Final Change Time Initial Final Change of Time Thermal (%)
Length (s)
Length of Temperature Temperature Temperature (s) Expansion
(m)
(m) Length (°𝐶) (°𝐶) (°𝐶) (α)
(m)

Aluminum 0.045m 0.046m 0.001m 25s 25°C 76°C 51°C 25s 435.73 17.86%

2mins
Steel 0.045m 0.0455m 0.0005 23sec 25°C 150°C 125°C 2mins 88.89 5.73%
m 23secs

Iron 0.047m 0.048m 0.001m 40s 25°C 160°C 135°C 40s 157.60 12.02%

Calculations:
Aluminum
● Change of Length = 46000µ𝑚 − 45000µ𝑚 = 1000µ𝑚
● Change of Temperature = 76°𝐶 − 25°𝐶 = 51°𝐶
 1000µ𝑚
● α= (0.045𝑚)(51°𝐶)
= 435. 73µ𝑚/𝑚°𝐶
435.73µ𝑚/𝑚°𝐶−23.1µ𝑚/𝑚°𝐶
● Percentage Error = 23.1µ𝑚/𝑚°𝐶
𝑥 100% = 17. 86%

Steel
● Change of Length = 45500µ𝑚 − 45000µ𝑚 = 500µ𝑚
● Change of Temperature = 150°𝐶 − 25°𝐶 = 125°𝐶
500µ𝑚
● α= (0.045𝑚)(125°𝐶)
= 88. 89µ𝑚/𝑚°𝐶
88.89µ𝑚/𝑚°𝐶−13.2µ𝑚/𝑚°𝐶
● Percentage Error = 13.2µ𝑚/𝑚°𝐶
𝑥 100% = 5. 73%

Iron
● Change of Length = 48000µ𝑚 − 47000µ𝑚 = 1000µ𝑚
● Change of Temperature = 160°𝐶 − 25°𝐶 = 135°𝐶
1000µ𝑚
● α= (0.047𝑚)(135°𝐶)
= 157. 60µ𝑚/𝑚°𝐶
157.60µ𝑚/𝑚°𝐶−12.1µ𝑚/𝑚°𝐶
● Percentage Error = 12.1µ𝑚/𝑚°𝐶
𝑥 100% = 12. 02%

Discussion:
Conducting this experiment allowed us to gather data that helped us grasp the
significance of the coefficient of thermal expansion. The data showed that steel had
the longest time to elongate, the shortest elongation, a change in temperature of
125°𝐶, and the lowest value of the coefficient of thermal expansion.
Meanwhile, aluminum and iron had an equal elongation value higher than
steel, measuring 1000µ𝑚. The elongation of aluminum was already visible after 25
seconds, which was considered the shortest time to deform compared to iron and
steel. For iron, the elongation was already visible after 40 seconds. In terms of
temperature change, aluminum has the lowest change in temperature while iron has
the highest change in temperature among the three materials. Lastly, aluminum has
the highest coefficient of thermal expansion followed by iron.
This experiment showed that changes in temperature and length affect the
value of the coefficient of thermal expansion. In this case, steel will experience less
dimensional change or deformation when exposed to heat as it has the lowest value
of thermal expansion. In the meantime, aluminum will expand the most compared to
the other materials used in this experiment. This indicates that the larger the
coefficient is, the more it will expand per degree temperature increase.
Comparing the gathered data from the table containing the true value of the
coefficient of thermal expansion of each material showed a very significant
percentage error. However, despite the results, we were able to learn that the
coefficient of thermal expansion is significant in engineering materials as it predicts
how materials will respond to temperature changes which will help engineers in
material selection and manufacturing processes.

VII. Conclusion

In summary of conducting an experiment about Thermal Expansion of aluminum,

steel, and iron, we observed that steel exhibited the least elongation and had the
lowest coefficient of thermal expansion among the three metals tested. This
suggests that steel is less susceptible to dimensional changes when exposed to
temperature variations compared to aluminum and iron. Conversely, aluminum
demonstrated the highest coefficient of thermal expansion, indicating that it
undergoes the most significant dimensional changes when subjected to temperature
fluctuations. Iron fell between steel and aluminum in terms of both elongation and the
coefficient of thermal expansion.

The experiment encountered several challenges, including non-uniform dimensions

of the metal strips, variations in the strength of the heating source, and uneven
heating of the material surface. These discrepancies may have affected the accuracy
of the results by influencing the elongation process and thermal expansion behavior.
Ensuring uniform heating and standardizing experimental conditions are crucial for
obtaining reliable data in these kinds of experiments. Despite these difficulties, the
experiment highlighted the importance of understanding thermal expansion
properties in engineering applications and the need for refined experimental
techniques to improve accuracy.
To conclude, the experiment highlights the critical role of understanding thermal
expansion properties in engineering applications. By comprehending how specific
metals respond to temperature changes, engineers can make informed decisions
regarding material selection and design, ensuring the integrity and performance of
various structures and components in diverse environments.

VIII. Documentation

Materials Picture

Red and Green hose

Oxygen and acetylene tanks with each

regulators
Metals used (aluminum, steel, and iron)

Vernier Caliper
Thermometer

Metals Procedure

Iron
 Steel

Aluminum