Linear thermal expansion coefficient results

The Linear thermal expansion coefficient result indicate any shrinkage that has occurred in relation to temperature changes.

A Pack analysis produces the following results:

• Linear thermal expansion coefficient in first direction
• Linear thermal expansion coefficient in second direction
• Linear thermal expansion coefficient in third direction

Fiber orientation analysis produces the following results using Midplane and Dual Domain analysis technology:

• Linear thermal expansion coefficient in first direction (fiber)
• Linear thermal expansion coefficient in second direction (fiber)

Using these results

The material should expand less in the direction of flow (first principal direction) than perpendicular to the fiber orientation (second principal direction). If the molecules are aligned in the first and second principal directions, then the linear thermal expansion coefficient will be different in each principal direction. If the molecules are randomly aligned, then there will be a uniform linear thermal expansion coefficient in each principal direction.

Using Midplane or Dual Domain analysis technology, the linear thermal expansion coefficient is recorded for each laminate in the model over the duration of the analysis. Therefore, each laminate in the model will have different thermal expansion results. You can check the expansion coefficient in each laminate by animating the default contour plot, which will animate the result over the Normalized Thickness.