Thermal Expansion of a Cylinder
Thermal Expansion of a Cylinder
(OP)
My applogies if this is a repost, but the search function isn't working.
I know the most accurate way to calculate the change in diameter of a cylinder due to thermal expansion is to use an FEA, but I don't have access to software at the moment. I want to know how good an approximation I will get using a staight linear calculation on the diameter itself?
Does anyone have experience in this that can tell me? Thank you.
I know the most accurate way to calculate the change in diameter of a cylinder due to thermal expansion is to use an FEA, but I don't have access to software at the moment. I want to know how good an approximation I will get using a staight linear calculation on the diameter itself?
Does anyone have experience in this that can tell me? Thank you.
Orchid Consulting





RE: Thermal Expansion of a Cylinder
RE: Thermal Expansion of a Cylinder
If it's restrained in someway, or has temperature variations, then it might get more involved.
RE: Thermal Expansion of a Cylinder
Thanks for the replies. At this point we're willing to expiriment. Our surface features could lead to some warping or other issues, so being off 0.001" on the tolerance is to be expected anyway. We do our testing at our machine shop so we can make changes on the spot.
Orchid Consulting
RE: Thermal Expansion of a Cylinder
RE: Thermal Expansion of a Cylinder
If you want an easy linear calculation for determing the change diameter (or radius) with respect temperature use the following equation:
dR = Ro * alpha * dT
dR = change in radius
alpha = thermal expansion (approx 7.2 x 10^-6)
dT = change in temperature
Follow all the advice in the previous posts. Many excellent points are made.