How does the coefficient of expansion for most plastic enclosure materials compare to metals?

The coefficient of thermal expansion measures how much a material expands or contracts as temperature changes. For most plastic materials, this coefficient tends to be greater than that of metals like steel and aluminum.

This is significant because it means that under temperature fluctuations, plastics will typically experience more considerable dimensional changes compared to metal materials. The higher thermal expansion in plastics can lead to challenges in applications where tight tolerances are necessary, particularly when materials are combined or assembled with metals.

Understanding the differences in thermal expansion is crucial for engineers and designers when selecting materials for specific applications, as it ensures that the materials will perform reliably under varying temperatures and conditions.