High-sensitivity dilatometer for quality-control use

Abstract

A simple-to-operate dilatometer, intended for rapid quality-control testing of low-expansion materials in a single temperature interval, is described. The instrument employs a thermoelectric heat/cool element to supply the thermal environment for the sample and a high-sensitivity linear variable differential transformer (LVDT) for displacement measurement. The mechanical configuration is made so as to eliminate the need for quartz correction and to provide a 4∶1 mechanical advantage to the displacement signal for improved accuracy. Operating between 0 and 100°C, the machine proved to give consistently good results with materials having expansion coefficients as low as 0.5×10−6 °C−1. Representative data on some carbonaceous materials and fused silica (quartz) are given.