Thermal shock

<p>Thermal shock is a phenomenon characterized by a rapid change in temperature that results in a transient <a href="/facts/Mechanical_load/BNmGTv0I">mechanical load</a> on an object. The load is caused by the differential expansion of different parts of the object due to the temperature change. This differential expansion can be understood in terms of <a href="/facts/Strain_(materials_science)/xK7R59oI">strain</a>, rather than <a href="/facts/Stress_(mechanics)/ErAXDbbd">stress</a>. When the strain exceeds the <a href="/facts/Tensile_strength/Cv2jPplR">tensile strength</a> of the material, it can cause cracks to form, and eventually lead to structural failure.
</p><p>Methods to prevent thermal shock include:
</p>
<ul><li>Minimizing the <a href="/facts/Thermal_gradient/YhWj21zy">thermal gradient</a> by changing the temperature gradually</li>
<li>Increasing the <a href="/facts/Thermal_conductivity/qWnSG3nQ">thermal conductivity</a> of the material</li>
<li>Reducing the coefficient of <a href="/facts/Thermal_expansion/BP2vjX0N">thermal expansion</a> of the material</li>
<li>Increasing the strength of the material</li>
<li>Introducing <a href="/facts/Compressive_stress/XIT7WeXf">compressive stress</a> in the material, such as in <a href="/facts/Tempered_glass/I2Q7fX7n">tempered glass</a></li>
<li>Decreasing the <a href="/facts/Young%2527s_modulus/MV5JMCIM">Young's modulus</a> of the material</li>
<li>Increasing the <a href="/facts/Toughness/1gEIUdBu">toughness</a> of the material through crack tip blunting or crack deflection, utilizing the process of <a href="/facts/Plastic_Deformation/2VKo6keA">plastic deformation</a>, and <a href="/facts/Phase_Transformation/eLP2BY8R">phase transformation</a></li></ul>

Thermal shock open-in-new

Thermal shock