Dilatometry (DIL) measures volume changes caused by physical and chemical processes. They are used in manufacturing, engineering, materials science, and chemistry labs. When working with a dilatometer, the first step is to load the sample into the machine. The sample is subjected to physical or chemical processes, most often in the form of heating from a furnace, and a sensor picks up on the volume changes.
Dilatometers can be used to calculate a material's coefficient of thermal expansion, softening point, glass transition temperature, Curie point, crystalline transformation, phase transition, and amount of shrinkage. When purchasing dilatometry equipment, it is important to consider the type of material that will be tested, the method of capture for measurements, and the software used.