expansion of materials All aspects of plumbing questions and answers, help, tips and information

[simon.rowden]

hi there could someone please tell me which material would expand the most in overall length if were heated to the same temperature.

10m of steel tube
10m of copper tube
10m of pvc gutte
10m of stainless steel tube

cheeers peeps

[Steve the gas]

Hi again,

Rather than asking us questions as such,- what are you attempting to do?

We can then advise more confidently.

[simon.rowden]

steve the gas,sorry mate but your reply never came through only your name,if you get a second could you reply again.cheers mate

[simon.rowden]

sorry this is a question in test that i am doing,i have scoured my book and internet sources but to no avail. the same with the other question.

[Steve the gas]

No probs,

All I said was - what are you attempting to do ?
So we can advise more clearly.

[plumbbob]

A quick check of Wikipedia searching for Coefficient of thermal expansion, gives a table of materials. The bigger the number the more it expands.

[rosebery]

You didn't google Coefficient of expansion

steel 7.3 x 10 -6 inches per inch per degree F

copper 9.3 x 10 -6 inches per inch per degree F

pvc 61.1 x 10 -6 inches per inch per degree F

austenitic stainless steel between 8.0 and 9.6 x 10 -6 inches per inch per degree F according to spec

ferritic stainless steel 5.5 x 10 -6 inches per inch per degree F according to spec

So the answer is ????????

Cheers

[htg engineer]

'this is a question in test that i am doing'

If it is a test, surely you will find out your answer once the test is complete ?

As Steve says - what are you attempting to do ?

I can understand comparing, steel, copper, stainless steel - tubes or pipe so why PVC gutter and not PVC/plastic pipe/tube ???

htg

[rosebery]

"I can understand comparing, steel, copper, stainless steel - tubes or pipe so why PVC gutter and not PVC/plastic pipe/tube ??? "

Because its a "properties of materials" question rather than an "application of materials" question perhaps? Must admit though the same thought crossed my mind when i first read it.

Cheers

[simon.rowden]

sorry that my english grammer is not to hot.when i said test i meant a multiple choice test not an actual hands on test.

[htg engineer]

'Because its a "properties of materials" question rather than an "application of materials" question perhaps?'

Fair enough, just wondered why he specified pipe, when he could of said Steel, Copper, PCV etc meaning it would be applicable to any process/application where the mentioned materials were used.

Just wondered what the 'test' was for, I assume it's more than just curiosity.

htg

[simon.rowden]

yeh its for a fast track course.to further my knowledge in the property game.will probably do a spaks course too.need to get a certain of correct answers to allow me on to the next weeks practical course.