Thermal and mechanical performance of a novel 3D printed macro-encapsulation method for phase change materials

Maier, M., Salazar, B., Unluer, C. , Taylor, H. K. and Ostertag, C. P. (2021) Thermal and mechanical performance of a novel 3D printed macro-encapsulation method for phase change materials. Journal of Building Engineering, 43, 103124. (doi: 10.1016/j.jobe.2021.103124)

Abstract

The mechanical and thermal properties of a novel 3D-printed macro-encapsulation method for Phase Change Materials (PCMs) was investigated and compared to mixtures that contain commercially available micro-encapsulated PCMs. Two types of cement-based mixtures, a mortar mix with a density of 2,161 kg/m3 and a lightweight mix with a density of 1,351 kg/m3, were utilized for both the micro- and macro-encapsulated samples. The micro-encapsulated mortar and lightweight samples contain 0 vol%, 10 vol%, and 20 vol% of PCMs with a melting point of 28 °C. The macro-encapsulated samples contain 20 vol% of the same PCMs but in this case the PCMs were incorporated into a hollow 3D-printed polymer lattice which is embedded in the cement-based matrices. This lattice not only serves as macro-encapsulation but also as reinforcement to enhance the ductility of cement-based materials. The results reviled that the lattice specimens developed the lowest panel temperature during heating and showed a significant reduction of the indoor temperature. The mechanical properties of the lattice specimens were improved and resulted in a change from a brittle to strain-hardening behavior. This research shows the potential of the developed system to be uses for thermal retrofitting or as wall elements to lower the indoor temperature and save energy in tropical climates.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This research is funded by the Republic of Singapore’s National Research Foundation through a grant to the Berkeley Education Alliance for Research in Singapore (BEARS) for the Singapore-Berkeley Building Efficiency and Sustainability in the Tropics (SinBerBEST) Program.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Unluer, Dr Cise
• Authors: Maier, M., Salazar, B., Unluer, C., Taylor, H. K., and Ostertag, C. P.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Infrastructure and Environment
• Journal Name: Journal of Building Engineering
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 2352-7102
• Published Online: 15 August 2021
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd
• First Published: First published in Journal of Building Engineering 43:103124
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy