Learn more physics! Hi - does brass shrink when subjected to
very low temperatures such as -196 celsius. If the brass shape
was circular e.g. a ring or washer would the ring split? Look
forward to your answer - Colin Freeman Yes it does. The standard
linear expansion coefficient for brass is about 19x10-6 per
degree C. To go from room temperature, 20o C to the temperature
of liquid nitrogen, -196o C you would get an shrinkage factor of
about 0.4 percent. Perhaps my pal MikeW knows if the linear
expansion is valid at those temperatures. (Beats me. /mbw) In
any case, a brass ring would not split. Everything contracts
proportionally so no internal forces are generated. Consider a
shrinking rectangular sheet of brass. If you cooled it down, it
would not split. Now think of drawing some imaginary circles
outlining the ring before and after. No problem, no split.
(published on 06/10/2010) Follow-up on this answer.