Temperature-adaption: Determining the Thermal Expansion Coefficient
The thermal expansion coefficient is a fundamental physical property inherent to all substances. For liquids, it can be determined with high accuracy by measuring the density at different temperatures. This approach enables precise characterization of temperature-dependent changes in density and provides reliable data for both research and industrial applications.
The thermal expansion coefficient α describes how much a material expands or contracts when the temperature changes. For liquids, this is particularly important when measurements are taken without strict temperature control, or if the measurement temperature is different from the temperature at which the results need to be reported. This is common in fields like petrochemical testing or chemical engineering.
In this report, the thermal expansion coefficient of liquids, also referred to as the “custom alpha” for portable DMA density meters, is explained in more detail. This coefficient can be determined simply by measuring the density of a liquid at different temperatures. While it is traditionally defined through the relative volume change, it can just as well be expressed in terms of density.
By recording density values at small temperature intervals, α can be calculated with high precision. Once determined, this coefficient can be used to correct measured density values to a chosen reference temperature. This makes it easier to compare results and ensures accuracy, even when measurements are performed under varying temperature conditions.
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