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Thermal Expansion Steam Pipes

Reference data and engineering information about thermal expansion steam pipes for fluid mechanics applications.

thermalexpansionsteampipesCalculatorData Table

Overview

Engineering reference data for Thermal Expansion Steam Pipes in fluid mechanics.

Key Formulas

Reynolds Number

Re=ρvDμRe = \frac{\rho v D}{\mu}

Ratio of inertial to viscous forces — determines flow regime.

Bernoulli's Equation

P+12ρv2+ρgh=constP + \frac{1}{2}\rho v^2 + \rho g h = \text{const}

Conservation of energy for steady, inviscid, incompressible flow.

Continuity Equation

A1v1=A2v2A_1 v_1 = A_2 v_2

Conservation of mass for incompressible flow.

Darcy-Weisbach

ΔP=fLDρv22\Delta P = f \frac{L}{D} \frac{\rho v^2}{2}

Pressure drop due to friction in a pipe.

Variables

SymbolDescriptionUnit
ReReReynolds number
ρ\rhoFluid densitykg/m³
vvFlow velocitym/s
DDCharacteristic dimensionm
μ\muDynamic viscosityPa·s
PPPressurePa
ffDarcy friction factor
8 rows
Temperature expansion of pipes (inches per 100 ft) for various materials relative to a 0°F baseline.
Temperature(°F)
Cast Iron(in/100 ft)
Carbon & Carbon Molybdenum(in/100 ft)
Wrought Iron(in/100 ft)
4-6% Cr. Alloy Steel(in/100 ft)
12% Cr. Stainless Steel(in/100 ft)
18 Cr.-8Ni Stainless Steel(in/100 ft)
Copper(in/100 ft)
Brass(in/100 ft)
Aluminum 2-S(in/100 ft)
-200-1.058-1.282-1.289-1.25-1.17-2.03-1.955-2.065-2.69
-100-0.593-0.698-0.705-0.7-0.63-1.1-1.04-1.098-1.4
0000000000
1000.680.7530.8870.650.691.1151.1341.151.53
2001.391.521.751.41.382.232.2962.343.08
3002.132.352.672.22.083.393.4613.5654.74
4002.913.233.623.012.824.584.6664.876.47
5003.734.1514.63.863.65.85.9066.228.25

Source: engineeringtoolbox.com

Conversion Formulas

The following formulas are useful for converting between units present in the data:

  • Temperature Conversion (Fahrenheit to Celsius):
    T(C)=59(T(F)32)T(^{\circ}C) = \frac{5}{9} \left( T(^{\circ}F) - 32 \right)
  • Length Conversion:
    1 in=25.4 mm1 \text{ in} = 25.4 \text{ mm}
    1 ft=0.3048 m1 \text{ ft} = 0.3048 \text{ m}

Definitions

  • Baseline: The expansion values in the table are referenced to a temperature of 0°F (-17.8°C).
  • Expansion vs. Contraction: Positive values indicate expansion (increase in length) as temperature rises above 0°F. Negative values indicate contraction (decrease in length) as temperature falls below 0°F.
  • Saturated Steam Pressure: The table includes corresponding saturated steam pressure (in psi) for reference. Values are vacuum (negative gauge pressure) below 211°F and positive gauge pressure above 211°F.

Interactive Charts

Piping materials temperature expansion and contraction

References