Expansion Coefficient Determination with Deformation Measurement and Simulation

A computer program for determining an expansion coefficient of a test material, which, when being executed by a processor, is adapted to carry out the steps of:

• receiving first image data of a compound material, wherein the compound material comprises a plate and a layer of the test material, which is attached to the plate;
• receiving at least one second image data of the compound material, which has been exposed to an environmental condition, before the second image data has been recorded;
• determining a measured deformation of the compound material by comparing the first image data and the second image data;
• performing a simulated deformation of a model of the compound material exposed to the environmental condition and determining the expansion coefficient of the test material by varying the expansion coefficient until the simulate deformation conforms to the measured deformation.

A system, comprising:

• an exposure device for exposing a compound material to an environmental condition;
• a camera device for recording image data of the compound material;
• an evaluation device for receiving the image data and for performing the steps of:
• receiving first image data of a compound material, wherein the compound material comprises a plate and a layer of test material, which is attached to the plate;
• receiving at least one second image data of the compound material, which has been exposed to an environmental condition, before the second image data has been recorded;
• determining a measured deformation of the compound material by comparing the first image data and the second image data;
• performing a simulated deformation of a model of the compound material exposed to the environmental condition and determining an expansion coefficient of the test material by varying the expansion coefficient until the simulate deformation conforms to the measured deformation.