Mechanical and thermal characterisation of multifunctional composites incorporating phase change materials. (August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yoo, Sanghyun; Kandare, Everson; Mahendrarajah, Ghowsalya; Al-Maadeed, Mariam A; Khatibi, Akbar Afaghi
• Is Part Of: Journal of composite materials. Volume 51:Number 18(2017)
• Page Start: 2631
• Page End: 2642
• Publication Date: 2017-08
• Subjects: Particle-reinforced composites -- functional composites -- polymer-matrix composites -- mechanical properties -- phase change materials -- thermal storage; Composite materials -- Periodicals; Composites -- Périodiques; 620.118
• DOI: 10.1177/0021998316673894
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-9983

Abstract

The paper reports an experimental investigation on the mechanical and thermal properties of multifunctional composite laminates integrated with microencapsulated phase change materials. The different microstructures were created by incorporating microencapsulated phase change materials in glass–epoxy composites at weight fraction between 0 and 20 wt.%. To characterise the mechanical properties, tension, compression and flexural tests were conducted. The scanning electron microscope studies were used to investigate the damage mechanisms associated with these loading conditions. Thermal storage capability of the multifunctional composites was characterised using heat flux meters. The apparent heat capacity of the composites was linearly proportional to the concentration of microencapsulated phase change materials. Alternative design analysis resulted in an optimised laminate configuration with high thermal storage capability coupled with excellent mechanical properties.