Coefficient of Thermal Expansion Data

A Coefficient of Thermal Expansion, typically represented by the symbol , is a measure of the change in length of a material in response to a change in its temperature.

Within small temperature changes, the change in the length of a material is proportional to its change in temperature. Materials expand as temperatures increase, and contract with decreasing temperatures. Different materials expand by different amounts as shown in the table below.

The data shows thermal expansion material properties that correspond with an approximate temperature of 20 degrees Centigrade (68 degrees Fahrenheit). A material's Thermal Expansion Coefficient is not a fixed constant... the Coefficient value itself also increases (slightly) with higher temperatures.

All data should be considered as approximate as values can vary widely between individual material specimens depending on several factors including alloy type and heat treatment.

Coefficient of Linear Thermal Expansion (Coefficient of Expansion data for selected materials - listed from smallest-to-largest value)
Metal or Alloy Group Classification	Material Designation	Coefficient of Expansion		Coefficient of Thermal Expansion Relative Value
Pure Metals	Tungsten	4.5	2.5
Pure Metals	Molybdenum	4.8	2.7
Pure Metals	Chromium	4.9	2.7
Pure Metals	Zirconium	5.7	3.2
Pure Metals	Rhenium	6.2	3.4
Pure Metals	Tantalum	6.3	3.6
Pure Metals	Iridium	6.4	3.6
Pure Metals	Ruthenium	6.4	3.6
Pure Metals	Rhodium	8.2	4.6
Pure Metals	Vanadium	8.4	4.7
Pure Metals	Titanium	8.6	4.8
Pure Metals	Platinum	8.8	4.9
Iron Alloys	Steel (1.45% C)	10.1	5.6
Iron Alloys	Gray Cast Iron	10.5	5.8
Iron Alloys	Steel (1.08% C)	10.8	6.0
Iron Alloys	Steel (0.56% C)	11.0	6.1
Iron Alloys	Steel (0.40% C)	11.3	6.3
Nickel Alloys	Hastelloy C	11.3	6.3
Pure Metals	Beryllium	11.3	6.3
Nickel Alloys	Inconel	11.5	6.4
Iron Alloys	Steel (0.06% C)	11.7	6.5
Iron Alloys	Steel (0.22% C)	11.7	6.5
Pure Metals	Iron	11.8	6.6
Pure Metals	Palladium	11.8	6.6
Iron Alloys	Cast Iron - Nodular	11.9	6.6
Iron Alloys	Malleable Iron (pearlitic)	12.0	6.7
Nickel Alloys	Monel (cast)	12.9	7.2
Nickel Alloys	Ni-o-nel	12.9	7.2
Nickel Alloys	Duranickel	13.0	7.2
Pure Metals	Cobalt	13.0	7.2
Pure Metals	Nickel	13.4	7.4
Nickel Alloys	Monel	14.0	7.8
Pure Metals	Gold	14.2	7.9
Nickel Alloys	35Ni-45Fe-20Cr	15.8	8.8
Copper Alloys	Cupro-nickel, 305	16.2	9.0
Copper Alloys	Nickel silver, 65-18	16.2	9.0
Pure Metals	Copper	16.5	9.2
Nickel Alloys	60Ni-24Fe-16Cr	17.0	9.4
Nickel Alloys	80Ni-20Cr	17.3	9.6
Stainless Steel	Stainless Steel type 304	17.3	9.6
Copper Alloys	Phosphor bronze, 1.25%	17.8	9.9
Copper Alloys	Beryllium Copper	17.8	9.9
Copper Alloys	Aluminum-Silicon Bronze	18.0	10.0
Copper Alloys	Commercial Bronze, 90%	18.4	10.2
Copper Alloys	Red brass, 85%	18.7	10.4
Nickel Alloys	Constantan	18.8	10.4
Pure Metals	Silver	18.9	10.5
Copper Alloys	Low brass, 80%	19.1	10.6
Lead Alloys	Lead-base babbitt (SAE 14)	19.6	10.9
Copper Alloys	Inhibited admiralty	20.2	11.2
Copper Alloys	Yellow Brass	20.3	11.3
Copper Alloys	Muntz metal	20.8	11.6
Copper Alloys	Naval Brass	21.2	11.8
Lead Alloys	Solder (70Sn-30Pb)	21.6	12.0
Pure Metals	Manganese	21.7	12.1
Pure Metals	Tin	22.0	12.2
Pure Metals	Calcium	22.3	12.4
Pure Metals	Aluminum	23.1	12.8
Lead Alloys	Lead-base babbitt (Alloy 8)	24.0	13.3
Lead Alloys	Solder (63Sn-37Pb)	24.7	13.7
Pure Metals	Magnesium	24.8	13.8
Lead Alloys	Hard lead (94Pb-6Sb)	27.2	15.1
Lead Alloys	5-95 Solder	28.7	15.9
Pure Metals	Lead	28.9	16.1
Pure Metals	Zinc	30.2	16.8
Pure Metals	Cadmium	30.8	17.1

The data used to create this Coefficient of Thermal Expansion table was compiled and adapted using information from various sources, including the following...

• Concise Metals Engineering Handbook
• Handbook of Chemistry and Physics - 91st Edition
• ASM Handbook Volume 1 - Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys