Learn something new every day More Info... by email
Thermoelasticity is the change in the size and shape of a solid
object as the temperature of that object fluctuates. Materials
that are more elastic will expand and contract more than those
materials that are more inelastic. Scientists use their
understanding of thermoelasticity to design materials and
objects that can withstand fluctuations in temperature without
breaking. Scientists have understood the equations that describe
thermoelasticity for over 100 years but have only recently begun
stress testing materials in order to determine how thermoelastic
they are. By subjecting materials to rising and falling
temperatures, engineers are able to predict how much these
materials will expand or contract at different temperatures.
This knowledge is important when building machines or weight
bearing structures with pieces that need to fit closely
together. Understanding the principles of thermoelasticity helps
engineers design things that maintain their structur