diff --git a/src/phase_mechanical_eigen_thermalexpansion.f90 b/src/phase_mechanical_eigen_thermalexpansion.f90
index 1c08140ae..e48e56672 100644
--- a/src/phase_mechanical_eigen_thermalexpansion.f90
+++ b/src/phase_mechanical_eigen_thermalexpansion.f90
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ module function thermalexpansion_init(kinematics_length) result(myKinematics)
         associate(prm  => param(kinematics_thermal_expansion_instance(p)))
           kinematic_type => kinematics%get(k)
 
-          prm%T_ref = kinematic_type%get_asFloat('T_ref', defaultVal=0.0_pReal)
+          prm%T_ref = kinematic_type%get_asFloat('T_ref', defaultVal=300.0_pReal)
 
           prm%A(1,1,1) = kinematic_type%get_asFloat('A_11')
           prm%A(1,1,2) = kinematic_type%get_asFloat('A_11,T',defaultVal=0.0_pReal)
diff --git a/src/phase_mechanical_plastic_dislotwin.f90 b/src/phase_mechanical_plastic_dislotwin.f90
index 10522737c..c26dc2a32 100644
--- a/src/phase_mechanical_plastic_dislotwin.f90
+++ b/src/phase_mechanical_plastic_dislotwin.f90
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ submodule(phase:plastic) dislotwin
       delta_G             = 1.0_pReal, &                                                            !< Free energy difference between austensite and martensite
       i_tr                = 1.0_pReal, &                                                            !< adjustment parameter to calculate MFP for transformation
       h                   = 1.0_pReal, &                                                            !< Stack height of hex nucleus
-      T_ref               = 0.0_pReal, &
+      T_ref               = 300.0_pReal, &
       a_cI                = 1.0_pReal, &
       a_cF                = 1.0_pReal
     real(pReal),                            dimension(2) :: &