Pipes and Temperature Expansion

Pipes expands when heated and contracts when cooled. The expansion of the pipes can be expressed with the expansion formula

Sponsored Links

The temperature expansion of pipes depends on the start and final temperature of the pipe and the expansion coefficient of the piping material at the actual temperature. The general expansion formula can be expressed as:

dl = αL_o dt (1)

where

dl = expansion (m, inch)

L_o = length of pipe (m, inch)

dt = temperature difference (^oC, ^oF)

α = linear expansion coefficient (m/m^oK, inch/inch^oF)

Mean expansion coefficient may vary with temperature as:

Mean Expansion Coefficient - α - (inch/inch^oF) 10^-6
Material	Temperature Range (^oF)
Material	- 32	32 - 212	32 - 400	32 - 600	32 - 750	32 - 900	32 - 1100	32 - 1300
Alloy Steel (1% Cr. 1/2% Mo)	7.7	8.0	8.4	8.8	9.2	9.6	9.8
Mild Steel (0.1 - 0.2% C)	7.1	7.8	8.3	8.7	9.0	9.5	9.7
Stainless Steel (18% Cr. 8% Ni)	10.8	11.1	11.5	11.8	12.1	12.4	12.6	12.8

Formula (1) can also be used with SI units. The expansion coefficient must be adjusted to ^oC.

T(^oC) = 5/9[T(^oF) - 32]
1 in (inch) = 25.4 mm
1 ft (foot) = 0.3048 m
Expansion coefficients for some common materials

Example - Thermal Expansion of Heated Alloy Steel

100 feet of alloy steel pipe is heated from 32 to 212^oF. The expansion coefficient is 8 10^-6 (inch/inch^oF).

The expansion can be expressed as:

dl = (8 10^-6 in/in^oF)(100 feet) (12 in/ft) (212 - 32 ^oF)

= 1.728 inch

Temperature Expansion of Pipes - Excel Template

ToolBox ShortList

Difficult to find your favorite ToolBox page? Add a link to the page in your own personal Shortlist!

• Add this Page! • Delete the ShortList!

Translate this page to Spanish French German Italian Dutch Norwegian

The content in The Piping ToolBox is copyrighted but can be used with NO WARRANTY or LIABILITY. Important information should always be double checked with alternative sources. All applicable national and local regulations and practices concerning this aspects must be strictly followed and adhered to.

We appreciate any comments and tips on how to make The Piping ToolBox a better information source. Please contact us by email if You find any faults, inaccurate, or otherwise unacceptable information.

5 12 1