Thermophysical Properties Research Laboratory, Inc.
Phone : 765-463-1581
Dilatometer
(ASTM E 228-06, ASTM C 372-94, ASTM D 696-08)

The push-rod dilatometer is used to measure the thermal expansion of a sample as compared to a known expansion. Normal operation of the experiment would be to select a temperature range for the sample to be tested under. This could include heating the sample to a specified temperature, then holding that temperature for a given length of time, and the cooling the sample back down close to room temperature. These options can be specified for the sample to tested.

Temperature Range

The temperature range of the push-rod dilatometer is designed to heat a sample from room temperature to 1500 degrees Celsius. This is done through the use of an electrical furnace surrounding the sample and NIST standard. One of the modifications made to the dilatometer by TPRL was to include routines for cryogenic studies. With this modifications a lower temperature of -190 degrees Celsius can be obtained. This is done through the use of liquid nitrogen pumped into the testing environment.

Environment

The environment of the push-rod dilatometer can be from a total vacuum to a mixture of different gasses depending on the customer's requirements.

Procedure

The procedure to testing the sample consists of selecting an appropriate standard to measure against. The sample is measured to find its length. This is preferred to be 2.00 inches long. Please note that the precision length of the sample must be known to properly calculate the expansion.

After the sample and standard are set in place, and the enclosing tube is placed over the experiment, a vacuum pump is turned on. After the pressure inside the tube is below 1 torr, the pump may be turned off and a inert gas of helium is feed in. The gas is to help prevent any possible reactions with the sample at the higher temperatures.

After the samples are set in the dilatometer, the computer is programmed to run the experiment. The computer controls the major functions of the experiment and records the temperature and the difference between the standards expansion and the sample. From this data the computer can calculate the actual expansion of the sample. The measurements are taken through the use of an HP voltmeter. This information is then translated into the temperature and expansion difference.




Thermophysical Properties Measured

Thermal Conductivity

Thermal Diffusivity

Specific Heat

Thermal Expansion

Electrical Resistivity

Emissivity

Thermal Gravimetric Analysis & Simultaneous Thermal Analysis

Enthalpy

ASTM Methods

Sample Sizes & Definitions

Test Selector Tool

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Copyright 2018 TPRL, Inc.
3080 Kent Avenue
West Lafayette, IN 47906
Last updated 12/22/2017