Study on the heat conduction of phase-change material microcapsules

The 3ω approach was used to measure the effective thermal conductivity of phase-change material microcapsules (PCMMs) based on urea formaldehyde and sliced paraffin. The effective thermal conductivities of PCMMs with different densities were measured within the phase-change temperature range. The relationships between effective thermal conductivity, density and temperature were analysed. The effective thermal conductivity reached peak values within the phase-change temperature range and the temperature peak value was consistent with the peak value of the phase-change temperature. The effective thermal conductivity increased with increasing density due to the decreased porosity of samples and their increased solid-phase conduction.