Assembly and method for determining the coefficient of thermal expansion of a workpiece

An assembly and method suitable for determining the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of a workpiece. The assembly includes a dual channel laser interferometer system placed in operative association with the workpiece, and a vacuum, heating and cooling chamber surrounding the workpiece. The ass...

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Bibliographische Detailangaben
Hauptverfasser: LLOYD, CARL A, KIRK, CHARLES S, GILMORE, JAMES F
Format: Patent
Sprache:eng
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Beschreibung
Zusammenfassung:An assembly and method suitable for determining the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of a workpiece. The assembly includes a dual channel laser interferometer system placed in operative association with the workpiece, and a vacuum, heating and cooling chamber surrounding the workpiece. The assembly is particularly useful for determining the CTE of a workpiece having a relatively low value, e.g., a CTE less than 0.1x10-6 inch/inch DEG F. It is therefore advantageously employed for determining the CTE of a workpiece comprising a composite, like a graphite/epoxy composite, that may have a CTE in the range of +/-0.2x10-6 inch/inch DEG F.