Novel Formulations of Phase Change Materials—Epoxy Composites for Thermal Energy Storage
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Authors
Arce, Maria Elena
Feijoo, Miguel Angel Alvarez
Garcia, Andres Suarez
Luhrs, Claudia C.
Subjects
PCM
thermal energy storage
PCM-epoxy composite
paraffin
Plackett-Burman
thermal energy storage
PCM-epoxy composite
paraffin
Plackett-Burman
Advisors
Date of Issue
2018-01-26
Date
26 January 2018
Publisher
MDPI
Language
Abstract
This research aimed to evaluate the thermal properties of new formulations of phase change materials (PCMs)-epoxy composites, containing a thickening agent and a thermally conductive phase. The composite specimens produced consisted of composites fabricated using (a) inorganic PCMs (hydrated salts), epoxy resins and aluminum particulates or (b) organic PCM (paraffin), epoxy resins, and copper particles. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) was used to analyze the thermal behavior of the samples, while hardness measurements were used to determine changes in mechanical properties at diverse PCM and conductive phase loading values. The results indicate that the epoxy matrix can act as a container for the PCM phase without hindering the heat-absorbing behavior of the PCMs employed. Organic PCMs presented reversible phase transformations over multiple cycles, an advantage that was lacking in their inorganic counterparts. The enthalpy of the organic PCM-epoxy specimens increased linearly with the PCM content in the matrix. The use of thickening agents prevented phase segregation issues and allowed the fabrication of specimens containing up to 40% PCM, a loading significantly higher than others reported. The conductive phase seemed to improve the heat transfer and the mechanical properties of the composites when present in low percentages (<10 wt %); however, given its mass, the enthalpy detected in the composites was reduced as their loading further increased. The conductive phase combination (PCM + epoxy resin + hardener + thickening agent) presents great potential as a heat-absorbing material at the temperatures employed.
Type
Article
Description
The article of record as published may be found at https://doi.org/10.3390/ma11020195
Series/Report No
Department
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE)
Organization
Naval Postgraduate School
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Office of Naval Research
Funder
Format
18 p.
Citation
Arce, Maria Elena, et al. "Novel Formulations of Phase Change Materials—Epoxy Composites for Thermal Energy Storage." Materials 11.2 (2018): 195.
Distribution Statement
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. As such, it is in the public domain, and under the provisions of Title 17, United States Code, Section 105, it may not be copyrighted.