2.13 Phase Change Materials
37
Fig. 2.14 Micro- and macro-PCM
dynamic thermal insulation concept, together with the insulation value of micro-PCM
fabrics, has also been investigated [175]. The effectiveness of micro-PCM applied
to garments during environmental transients was evaluated by Shim et al. [176].
Wearer trials on garments containing micro-PCM and garments without micro-PCM
revealed that changes in mean skin temperature and microclimate temperature were
less in the former [177]. The rate of temperature increase in garments with different
add-on levels of micro-PCM was compared by Yin et al. [178], and it was observed
that, in the garments with lower amounts of micro-PCM, the rate of temperature
increase was higher.
Smart gloves have been designed to keep the hands warm using micro-PCM in
order to replace very bulky gloves heated with batteries. Micro-PCM particles were
incorporated into textile fibres to increase the thermal storage of the fabric [179].
Adding micro-PCM to foams and fabrics, resulting in increased thermal storage and
insulation, has created many new materials. The latent heat release or absorption
phenomenon of micro-PCM has been used to provide the thermal capacitance [180–
183]. Apart from micro-PCM, further research has produced garments applied with
capsules of 2–3 mm diameter known as macro-PCM, to increase comfort and assist
in reducing heat stress [184–188]. These macro-PCM has several applications in
marines, fire fighting and patients with heat stress problems [189]. Macro-PCM can
be applied to a certain extent to control body temperature by the suitable selection
of the fusion temperature of the PCM [170]. Figure 2.14 shows microscopic pictures
of micro-PCM and macro-PCM [190].
2.13.3 Applications of PCM
PCM is mainly used for heat management of thermo-regulated fabrics, telecommunication installations, civil engineering, microprocessors and high-power electronics.
As an example in textile applications, PCM utilises microencapsulated chemicals
such as nonadecane and other medium-chain length alkanes for cooling purposes.
37
Fig. 2.14 Micro- and macro-PCM
dynamic thermal insulation concept, together with the insulation value of micro-PCM
fabrics, has also been investigated [175]. The effectiveness of micro-PCM applied
to garments during environmental transients was evaluated by Shim et al. [176].
Wearer trials on garments containing micro-PCM and garments without micro-PCM
revealed that changes in mean skin temperature and microclimate temperature were
less in the former [177]. The rate of temperature increase in garments with different
add-on levels of micro-PCM was compared by Yin et al. [178], and it was observed
that, in the garments with lower amounts of micro-PCM, the rate of temperature
increase was higher.
Smart gloves have been designed to keep the hands warm using micro-PCM in
order to replace very bulky gloves heated with batteries. Micro-PCM particles were
incorporated into textile fibres to increase the thermal storage of the fabric [179].
Adding micro-PCM to foams and fabrics, resulting in increased thermal storage and
insulation, has created many new materials. The latent heat release or absorption
phenomenon of micro-PCM has been used to provide the thermal capacitance [180–
183]. Apart from micro-PCM, further research has produced garments applied with
capsules of 2–3 mm diameter known as macro-PCM, to increase comfort and assist
in reducing heat stress [184–188]. These macro-PCM has several applications in
marines, fire fighting and patients with heat stress problems [189]. Macro-PCM can
be applied to a certain extent to control body temperature by the suitable selection
of the fusion temperature of the PCM [170]. Figure 2.14 shows microscopic pictures
of micro-PCM and macro-PCM [190].
2.13.3 Applications of PCM
PCM is mainly used for heat management of thermo-regulated fabrics, telecommunication installations, civil engineering, microprocessors and high-power electronics.
As an example in textile applications, PCM utilises microencapsulated chemicals
such as nonadecane and other medium-chain length alkanes for cooling purposes.