Metals & Alloys

Iron — Thermal Expansion

This figure depicts the linear thermal expansion and physical coefficient of thermal expansion (physical Coefficient of Linear Thermal Expansion (CLTE/CTE)The coefficient of linear thermal expansion (CLTE) describes the length change of a material as a function of the temperature.CTE) of iron.

The sample was measured at a heating rate of 5 K/min in a helium atmosphere. At 906°C (peak temperature in the physical alpha) a shrinkage step was detected. This is due to a change in the lattice structure (bcc -> fcc). Another change in the lattice structure (fcc -> bcc) was detected at 1409°C. The deviation between the measured and literature transition temperatures is due to a small impurity content. (measurement with DIL 402 C)