Thermal shock is a phenomenon that often goes unnoticed but can potentially devastate various industrial and domestic applications.
In this article, learn more about thermal shock, highlighting its significance and how it can be effectively prevented.
What is thermal shock?
Thermal shock refers to the response of a material or system to a sudden and significant change in temperature, generating internal stresses that can result in fractures.
It can occur in various situations – from ice breaking when exposed to a hot drink to parts of industrial machinery shattering due to temperature fluctuations.
The key to thermal shock lies in the differences within the thermal expansion of the materials. When heated or cooled rapidly, their components can expand or contract at different rates, leading to internal stresses and eventual fracturing.
One substantial detail to keep in mind is a given material's thermal resistance, which is essential in high temperature environments since it refers to its ability to withstand heat flows or temperature transfers.
Find out what factors influence this phenomenon below.