The Reversible Thermal Expansion of a Silica Brick

JSGT_1933_V17_T378_T383

The thermal expansion of a silica brick over the temperature cycle 20-700-20° was found to be not strictly reversible, but a small permanent expansion was observed. The extent of the permanent expansion rapidly decreased with each repetition of the cycle, and a decreased expansion over the range 20-700° occurred during each successive heating. A simple quantitative relationship was found between the decrement in expansion up to 700° and the corresponding permanent expansion. The mechanism of the expansion of an agglomerate is discussed in connection with the above relationship.

J. A. Sugden