Thermal Expansion of Common Rocks
The extent of thermal expansion in rocks can vary depending on the mineral composition, porosity, and other factors. The following table provides a comprehensive list of linear thermal expansion coefficients for different rocks, taken at room temperature (approximately 20°C or 68°F) and 1 atmospheric (atm) pressure. (1 atm = 101,325 Pa)
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| Andesite | 7.0 |
| Basalt | 5.4 |
| Diabase | 2.0 - 3.0 |
| Diorite | 2.0 - 3.0 |
| Dolomite | 7.7 |
| Gabbro | 5.4 |
| Gneiss | 1.3 - 4.4 |
| Granite | 6.0 - 20 |
| Gypsum | 14 |
| Labradorite | 4.6 |
| Limestone (hard) | 9.0 - 22 |
| Limestone (soft) | 2.5 - 9.0 |
| Marble | 5.4 - 27 |
| Quartzite | 16 - 20 |
| Rhyolite | 8.0 |
| Rock salt | 40.0 |
| Sandstone | 5.0 - 19.0 |
| Shale | 9.0 - 15.0 |
| Slate | 10 - 12 |
| Syenite | 3.7 |
The thermal expansion of rocks can vary depending on the specific composition and mineral content of the rock.
Related Tables
References: 1) Cardarelli, François. Materials Handbook: A Concise Desktop Reference. Switzerland: Springer International Publishing, 2018. 2) A.M. Howatson, P.G. Lun, J.D. Todd, P.D. Engineering Tables and Data. United Kingdom: University of Oxford, Department of Engineering Science, 2009.