Hello all,<br><br>Does anyone know the amount of expansion water experiences upon freezing? I seem to remember a figure of somewhere between 5-10%, but need a hard number. Also, does it matter how cold it gets? For example, is there a significant difference between the amount of expansion at 25 degrees F vs. -25 degrees F?<br><br>Thanks for all replies. Take care.<br><br>Andy

Andy,<br><br>IIRC, it's about 9% at 32° F. However, once water has frozen, it is like any other solid and contracts as it gets colder - I can look up the coefficient of expansion if it's important - let me know. That contraction as temps fall is sometimes the cause of some VERY loud "BOOM!" noises on lakes when the tension from the ice contracting suddenly lets go (ice breaks).<br><br>HTH,<br><br>Tom

Tom,<br><br>Thanks for the speedy reply. No need to look up the coefficient of expansion. It's getting cold here, and I needed to find out how much room to leave in the water containers that are stored in the truck. I'm going to allow 15% just to be on the safe side. Thanks again.<br><br>Andy

IIRC it reaches its maximum volume at -4 degrees Celsius/Centigrade. (About 25 degrees Fahrenheit). After that, it begins to contract again.

I bow to your recollection - that sounds correct.

FYI, I just ordered some 2.4 liter Platypus bottles to store water in the car. The product description said it was "freezable." So I should be safe filling them to about 2 liters. Then I'll wrap them in plastic bags just in case they do spring a leak!