dilatometriikka

Dilatometriikka is a Finnish term that translates to dilatometry in English. Dilatometry is an experimental technique used to measure the change in size of a material as a function of temperature. This change in size, or expansion and contraction, is typically measured along one dimension. The primary goal of dilatometry is to study thermal expansion and phase transitions in materials.

A dilatometer is the instrument used for this measurement. It works by heating or cooling a sample and simultaneously measuring its dimensional changes. Common types of dilatometers include push-rod dilatometers, optical dilatometers, and interferometric dilatometers, each employing different methods for detecting small changes in length. The sample's dimension is typically compared against a reference material or measured directly using optical or mechanical means.

The data obtained from dilatometry can reveal crucial information about a material's properties. The coefficient of thermal expansion, which quantifies how much a material expands or contracts with temperature changes, is a key parameter derived from dilatometric measurements. Furthermore, phase transitions, such as melting, crystallization, or solid-state phase changes, often manifest as distinct changes in the rate of expansion or contraction, allowing for their detection and characterization. Dilatometriikka finds applications in various fields, including materials science, ceramics, metallurgy, and polymer science, for quality control, material characterization, and research into material behavior under thermal stress.