What happens when too much heat is applied to a bi-metallic element?

When too much heat is applied to a bi-metallic element, the most likely outcome is loss of functionality rather than merely expansion or weakening. Bi-metallic elements are designed to operate within specific temperature ranges, and exceeding these limits can result in deformation or a change in the properties of the materials involved.

Under excessive heat conditions, the different metals in a bi-metallic strip will expand at different rates due to their unique thermal expansion coefficients. This can lead to the separation of the two metals or a failure in the mechanism they are controlling. If the metals are not able to maintain their bonded relationship, it can lead to a situation where the bi-metallic element ceases to function properly, thus rendering it ineffective in its role, which is referred to as a loss.

While expansion is a natural reaction to heat in metals, the context of bi-metallic elements focuses on the operational impact, where excessive heat disrupts the intended functionality, causing a significant loss rather than just physical changes to the material.