Using Phase Change Materials in Clothing
Source abstract
Abstract
When microcapsules of phase change materials (PCMS) are added to textiles, they absorb heat energy as they change from a solid to a liquid state and release heat as they return to a solid state. This project quantifies the effect of PCMS in clothing on heat flow from the body during temperature transients. One- and two-layer body suits are constructed of a fabric/foam laminate produced with and without PCMS, and heat loss from a thermal manikin is measured as it is moved from a warm chamber to a cold chamber and back again. The results indicate that the heating and cooling effects last approximately 15 minutes. Heat released by PCMS in a cold environment decreases body heat loss by an average of 6.5 W for a one-layer suit and 13.2 W for a two-layer suit compared with non-PCM counterparts. PCM cooling effects increase body heat loss in a similar manner; therefore, PCMS in clothing provide a small, temporary heating/cooling effect during environmental transients.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Textile materials and evaluations · Thermoregulation and physiological responses · Phase Change Materials Research
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Affiliations
Institute for Environmental Research, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506, U.S.A.
References (8)
Show source-provided references
1. 1. American Society for Testing and Materials, Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Parts 7.01, 7.02, 8.02, 11.03, Conshohocken, PA, 1999.
2. 2. American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers, ASHRAE Handbook 1997, Fundamentals, Chapter 8, Atlanta, GA, 1997.
3. 3. Bryant, Y. G., and Colvin, D. P., Fibers with Enhanced, Reversible Thermal Energy Storage Properties, Techtextil-Symposium, 1992, pp. 1-8.
4. Cox, R. · Chem. Fibers Int. · 1998 · 48 · 475
5. 5. Pause, B. H., Investigations of the Heat Insulation of Protective Textiles with Microencapsulated PCM, Techtextil-Symp., paper no. 245, 1-9 (1994).
6. 10.1177/15280837950250010710.1177/152808379502500107 ↗
7. 7. Pause, B. H., Development of New Cold Protective Clothing with Phase Change Material, in “Proc. International Conference on Safety & Protective Fabrics '98,” Baltimore, MD, 1998, pp. 78-84.
8. 8. Shim, H., The Use of Phase Change Materials in Clothing, Doctoral dissertation, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 1999.