bimetal design guide 2

[actaris]

I am working on a product that has a bimetallic strip that is used for temperature compensation. It is a U-shaped strip, with the "legs" of unequal length. I am attempting to calculate deflection, etc., but don't know where to start - it is more complicated than the cantilever beam theory stuff I learned in school. Does anyone know of any sources or design guides regarding bimetal material or deflection of irregular shapes?

 

[markdall]

Hi,
A good place to start would be to look at Roark's Formulas for stress and strain by Warren C. Young. This may help you get started. I am no expert on this, but that is where I would look.

 

[HamishMcTavish]

Not sure why it would be U-shaped, however you could try looking in Moffat R.J. 'Experimental Heat Transfer' paper KN11 pp187-206, Proceedings of the 9th International Heat Transfer Conference 1990.

This paper gives an expression for the radius of curvature for an unrestrained bimetallic strip which could give you a start.

Cheers the noo!

 

[Vidaman]

Actaris,

Try contacting these guys...

Engineered Materials Solutions Inc. (

http://www.emsclad.com/about.html)

PO Box 2410
39 Perry Avenue
Attleboro, MA 02703
ATTN:
Ron Burnett
USA Phone: 508-342-2223
USA Fax: 508-342-2125
E-Mail:
rburnett@emsclad.com

This company used to be part of Texas Instruments and they have an excellent bimetal design guide that has material properties and equations for several bimetal shapes (including U-shape) I believe. I used to have the manual when it was a TI publication and it was extremely helpful.

Good luck,
Vidaman