The skin of a fabric compensator is usually composed of multiple layers of different non-metallic materials. These materials may include glass fiber, aluminum silicate fiber, ceramic fiber, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), silicone rubber, etc. Each material has a different Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE).
The coefficient of thermal expansion refers to the degree to which a material changes its dimensions as a function of temperature, and is typically expressed as a percentage of length per degree Celsius change or a length increment per degree in μ m/m·°C or ppm/°C.
For fabric compensator skins, the specific coefficient of thermal expansion depends on the specific materials used and their proportions. For example, glass fibers have a relatively low coefficient of thermal expansion of about 5.5 μ m/m·°C.; While the thermal expansion coefficient of PTFE is higher, about 120 μ m/m·°C.
However, the skin of a fabric compensator is a multilayer composite material whose overall coefficient of thermal expansion is a combination of the coefficients of thermal expansion of the individual layers of material and may vary depending on the way the layers are bonded. Therefore, fabric compensator manufacturers will typically provide an average coefficient of thermal expansion for the entire skin assembly, which is given in the product specification sheet or technical data sheet.
When designing and selecting a fabric compensator, considering its application in high temperature environments, it is important to know the thermal expansion coefficient of the skin, as it directly affects the reliability and life expectancy of the compensator working at different temperatures. If precise values are required, you should refer to the product data provided by the specific manufacturer or consult the manufacturer directly for relevant information. In some critical applications, thermal stress analysis may also be required to ensure that the compensator can operate safely within the expected temperature range.