2.13 Phase Change Materials
39
containing a suitable binder for textile application of micro-PCM by coating. Zuckerman et al. [193] also suggested one recipe and compared the properties of fabrics
coated with micro-PCM and without PCM. They found that a knife-over-roll coating
technique is appropriate for PCM application to foam, and some techniques (such as
solvent-based gravure printing, thermoplastic gravure printing, thermoplastic spray
and thermoplastic extrusion techniques) are not suitable for PCM coating.
The direct incorporation of PCM into textiles was suggested by Pause [194]. In this
method, PCM are directly incorporated into a polymer film which is then laminated
on to the non-woven fabric system. Pause has claimed several advantages of this
method as compared to other PCM application methods in garments. The advantages
of this method are getting a high PCM concentration per unit area; elimination of
the expensive microencapsulation procedure of the PCM and minimisation of any
increase in the weight of the garment. In order to decrease heat stress, accidents
and errors, Pause [195] incorporated PCM into a thin polymer film and laminated
the film onto the inner side of the fabric of chemical and non-woven protective
garments. The heat stress of these garments was found to be decreased substantially
by the application of PCM.
The analytical modelling of a diver dry suit applied with micro-PCM has been
investigated [183]. It was shown that the foams containing micro-PCM could reduce
the heat loss in a diver during the initial phase of a dive. The PCM helped to delay the
penetration of cold through the diver’s suit until it solidified. In addition to making
garments, PCM-treated fabrics can be used as linings for garments, where they are
in closer contact with the skin to provide cooling or heating as required. A cooling
garment consisting of two main parts was designed by Doherty [196]. The garment
consisted of an outer metallic part that reflected the high intensity of light and heat,
and an inner PCM-coated lining with pockets of fabrics made from various fibres.
He also placed one pouch of n-alkane in each of the pockets for cooling purposes.
Thermal barriers with PCM were designed by Payne et al. [197] for clothing
worn by scuba divers, fire fighters, astronauts and mountaineers. Also, these barriers
were found to be effective in other textile products such as blankets, sleeping bags
and carpets. Pause [198] showed that PCM could be applied to textiles used in
automotives to increase thermal comfort. These PCM can also be applied to other
automotive textiles such as carpets and headliners. Pause [199] also investigated
the potential of textiles with PCM in various medical applications such as surgical
gowns, bed linen and fabrics used in intensive care. A mixture of PCM, silica and
carbon black were used as a microwavable TES material in textiles [200].
2.13.3.2 Other Applications
The use of PCM in building applications by microencapsulation has been investigated
by several researchers [201–203]. The application of PCM integrated with building
materials without encapsulation has also been investigated [204]. PCM are also
applied in the field of medicine, such as in antibiotics, hormones and other drugs
[205].
39
containing a suitable binder for textile application of micro-PCM by coating. Zuckerman et al. [193] also suggested one recipe and compared the properties of fabrics
coated with micro-PCM and without PCM. They found that a knife-over-roll coating
technique is appropriate for PCM application to foam, and some techniques (such as
solvent-based gravure printing, thermoplastic gravure printing, thermoplastic spray
and thermoplastic extrusion techniques) are not suitable for PCM coating.
The direct incorporation of PCM into textiles was suggested by Pause [194]. In this
method, PCM are directly incorporated into a polymer film which is then laminated
on to the non-woven fabric system. Pause has claimed several advantages of this
method as compared to other PCM application methods in garments. The advantages
of this method are getting a high PCM concentration per unit area; elimination of
the expensive microencapsulation procedure of the PCM and minimisation of any
increase in the weight of the garment. In order to decrease heat stress, accidents
and errors, Pause [195] incorporated PCM into a thin polymer film and laminated
the film onto the inner side of the fabric of chemical and non-woven protective
garments. The heat stress of these garments was found to be decreased substantially
by the application of PCM.
The analytical modelling of a diver dry suit applied with micro-PCM has been
investigated [183]. It was shown that the foams containing micro-PCM could reduce
the heat loss in a diver during the initial phase of a dive. The PCM helped to delay the
penetration of cold through the diver’s suit until it solidified. In addition to making
garments, PCM-treated fabrics can be used as linings for garments, where they are
in closer contact with the skin to provide cooling or heating as required. A cooling
garment consisting of two main parts was designed by Doherty [196]. The garment
consisted of an outer metallic part that reflected the high intensity of light and heat,
and an inner PCM-coated lining with pockets of fabrics made from various fibres.
He also placed one pouch of n-alkane in each of the pockets for cooling purposes.
Thermal barriers with PCM were designed by Payne et al. [197] for clothing
worn by scuba divers, fire fighters, astronauts and mountaineers. Also, these barriers
were found to be effective in other textile products such as blankets, sleeping bags
and carpets. Pause [198] showed that PCM could be applied to textiles used in
automotives to increase thermal comfort. These PCM can also be applied to other
automotive textiles such as carpets and headliners. Pause [199] also investigated
the potential of textiles with PCM in various medical applications such as surgical
gowns, bed linen and fabrics used in intensive care. A mixture of PCM, silica and
carbon black were used as a microwavable TES material in textiles [200].
2.13.3.2 Other Applications
The use of PCM in building applications by microencapsulation has been investigated
by several researchers [201–203]. The application of PCM integrated with building
materials without encapsulation has also been investigated [204]. PCM are also
applied in the field of medicine, such as in antibiotics, hormones and other drugs
[205].