BiMetallic Strip Calculator v1

Subject

All metals expand and contract with temperature and their linear relationship makes these changes entirely predictable, which means you can be confident that your calculated dimensions at any temperature will be achieved in reality.

For example, the differential growth of two dissimilar metal strips that have been fixed together and heated will generate a longitudinal curve of known radius.
Such a component is generally referred to as a bi-metallic strip and used for heat activated switches.

Moreover, it is possible to install a heated (or cooled) component in or around a housing that has been machined to prevent the component returning to its original dimensions when cooled (or reheated), locking them together via residual stress.
This procedure is used to install high-strength liners in aluminium blocks such as for internal combustion engines.

Heat Shrink includes three calculation options; one for longitudinal strips and two for heated or cooled sleeves.

The bi-metal strip calculation option not only determines the radius achieved by the heated bi-metallic strip and the resulting shear force between the two metals, it also calculates the free growth of each metal strip, which means that Heat Shrink can also be used to calculate the growth of a single piece of metal.

The Heat-Shrink and Freeze-Grow calculation options determine the temperature variation required for assembly and the diameter to which the sleeve must be machined for the required grip pressure.

Because of the predictability of expansion coefficients, the accuracy of your results will always be in accordance with your input data.

CalQlata’s Elements, Copper Alloys and Metal Properties databases contain the relevant properties of over 400 metals that can be used in conjunction with this bimetallic strip calculator.

For help using this calculator see Technical Help

Bimetallic Strip Calculator - Options

Heat Shrink includes the following calculation options:

Bi-Metal Strip

Bi-METAL STRIPS will calculate the bend radius, reach, deflection, stresses and forces in the two metals allowing you to vary the thickness and width of both metals in your strip.

You enter:	and the bimetallic strip calculator will provide:
Temperature variation Length Expansion coefficient (metal₁) Young's modulus (metal₁) Width (metal₁) Thickness (metal₁) Expansion coefficient (metal₂) Young's modulus (metal₂) Width (metal₂) Thickness (metal₂)	Bend radius Combined growth Force Free growth (metal₁) Axial stress (metal₁) Free growth (metal₂) Axial stress (metal₂) Distance to neutral axis Horizontal distance to tip Vertical distance to tip

Heat Shrink Rings and Sleeves

HEAT-SHRINK calculates the machining diameter to achieve your required grip and the temperature to which you should heat it for assembly. Heat Shrink includes the dimensional variation of ring or sleeve wall thickness.

You enter:	and the bimetallic strip calculator will provide:
Expansion coefficient Young's modulus Grip pressure Thickness Inside diameter Assembly clearance Poisson's ratio	Machining diameter Diameter at δṮ Diameter variation Temperature variation Hoop stress

Freeze Grow Rings and Sleeves

FREEZE-GROW calculates the machining diameter to achieve your required grip and the temperature to which you should cool it for assembly. Heat Shrink includes the dimensional variation of ring or sleeve wall thickness.

You enter:	and the bimetallic strip calculator will provide:
Expansion coefficient Young's modulus Grip pressure Thickness Outside diameter Assembly clearance Poisson's ratio	Machining diameter Diameter at δṮ Diameter variation Temperature variation Hoop stress

Check minimum system requirements