How Does Phase Change Material Work
GALLOP INNOTEK phase change materials (PCMs) work by absorbing and releasing latent heat as they transition between solid and liquid states—all while maintaining a nearly constant temperature. This reversible process allows GALLOP INNOTEK PCM to effectively regulate temperature, store energy, and protect systems from overheating or overcooling.
- When the surrounding temperature rises and reaches the material’s specific phase change point, the PCM absorbs heat from the environment, melting from a solid to a liquid.
- As the surrounding temperature decreases, the liquefied PCM solidifies, emitting stored thermal energy back into the environment.
Advantages of Phase Change Materials
onstant Temperature: GALLOP INNOTEK PCM maintains temperature stability for a long period of time at the point of phase change temperature. It avoids rapid temperature fluctuations while providing excellent thermal storage capacity.
High latent heat: GALLOP INNOTEK PCM can store and release a large amount of energy in a small volume.
Reversible cycle: GALLOP INNOTEK PCM can repeat the solid-to-liquid phase change process many times. You can achieve a longer cycle life by choosing a more stable phase change material.
Variety of materials: A wide variety of materials are available, including organic types (such as paraffin and fatty acids), inorganic options (like hydrated salts), and composite blends.
Environmentally friendly: GALLOP INNOTEK PCM reduces energy consumption, helps energy conservation in construction, transport, and electronic heat dissipation, and contributes to environmental protection. And most GALLOP INNOTEK PCMs are not harmful to the human body.
- Fair good thermal conductivity: 3.0W/m.K
- Good insulation and high reliability
- Ultra low bond-line thickness available after melting
- High deflections and flexibility to irregular gaps filling
- Easy assembly and less messy than grease
- Cost-saving solutions
- No pump-out in aging
- Fair good thermal conductivity: 2.0W/m.K
- Good insulation and high reliability
- Ultra low bond-line thickness available after melting
- High deflections and flexibility to irregular gaps filling
- Easy assembly and less messy than grease
- Cost-saving solutions
- No pump-out in aging
- Fair good thermal conductivity: 5.0W/m.K
- Electrically conductive and high reliability
- Ultra low bond-line thickness available after melting
- High deflections and flexibility to irregular gaps filling
- Easy assembly and less messy than grease
- Cost-saving solutions
- No pump-out in aging
- Fair good thermal conductivity: 6.0W/m.K
- Good insulation and high reliability
- Ultra low bond-line thickness available after melting
- High deflections and flexibility to irregular gaps filling
- Easy assembly and less messy than grease
- Cost-saving solutions
- No pump-out in aging
- Fair good thermal conductivity: 8.5W/m.K
- Good insulation and high reliability
- Ultra low bond-line thickness available after melting
- High deflections and flexibility to irregular gaps filling
- Easy assembly and less messy than grease
- Cost-saving solutions
- No pump-out in aging
- High thermal conductivity: 8.5W/m.K
- Ultra low bond-line thickness
- Outstanding wettability and gap filling
- Good aging stability for long term applications
- Cost-saving solutions
- No pump-out in aging
- High latent heat≥140J/g
- Good insulation and high reliability
- Available for modified PCM transition temperature
- Softening surface and lower thermal impedance after absorbing heat
- Customizable for molding structures according to specific drawings
- High latent heat≥180J/g
- Good insulation and high reliability
- Available for modified PCM transition temperature
- Softening surface and lower thermal impedance after absorbing heat
- Customizable for molding structures according to specific drawings
Disadvantages of Phase Change Materials
- Low thermal conductivity: Organic and paraffinic GALLOP INNOTEK phase change materials have poor thermal conductivity. However, it can be enhanced by adding additional metal powders, such as graphite.
- Volume change: PCMs shrink and expand during solid-liquid transformation.
- Subcooling phenomenon: Some inorganic GALLOP INNOTEK PCMs do not solidify immediately when the temperature drops below the phase change point, but remain in the liquid state.
- Cycling Stability: Some PCMs will degrade, leak, or drift in phase change temperature over long periods of cycling.
- Expensive: High-performance or modified phase change materials are expensive. It can be costly if you are going to have applications in large-scale fields.
Different Types of Phase Change Materials
Organic Phase Change Materials
GALLOP INNOTEK organic phase change materials are typically based on paraffin or fatty acids. They remain chemically stable and non-corrosive, ensuring your equipment stays safe. During phase transition, their volume changes very little, and they offer reliable long-term performance. You also won’t have to worry about issues like subcooling or phase separation.
Inorganic Phase Change Materials
GALLOP INNOTEK inorganic phase change materials are usually made of hydrated salts or metals/alloys. They have higher thermal conductivity and thermal storage capacity. Hydrated salt phase change materials are susceptible to supercooling and phase separation, and phase change materials for metals and alloys are expensive. GALLOP INNOTEK Inorganic Phase Change Materials are corrosive and require more stable containers.
Eutectic Phase Change Materials
GALLOP INNOTEK Eutectic Phase Change Materials are usually mixtures of two or more materials. They undergo a phase change at a fixed temperature point when they co-crystallise. GALLOP INNOTEK can customize a PCM to meet your specific application requirements for precise temperature control.
Phase Change Material Applications
Phase Change Material for Electronic Cooling
GALLOP INNOTEK phase change materials seamlessly integrate into your devices, whether it’s a phone, laptop, or tablet, to provide steady thermal control. When you game, watch videos, or run several apps, the chips inside can heat up fast. The material quickly absorbs that heat, preventing slowdowns, system crashes, or lasting damage. This keeps your device running smoothly and helps extend its lifespan, even when you push it to its limits.
Phase Change Materials in Buildings
You can incorporate GALLOP INNOTEK phase change materials into building materials such as gypsum board and concrete to regulate room temperature. It absorbs excess heat when the temperature rises and releases it at low temperatures to heat the room.
Phase Change Materials for Thermal Energy Storage
GALLOP INNOTEK phase change materials provide an efficient method for thermal energy storage. These materials enable you to capture and store solar heat gathered throughout the day, releasing it steadily at night, allowing for continuous heating without relying on conventional energy sources.
Phase Change Materials for Fabrics
Using GALLOP INNOTEK phase change materials for outdoor sportswear, skiwear, and bedding can achieve intelligent temperature regulation for your textiles. Under high temperatures, it melts while absorbing heat, thereby producing a cooling effect. In low temperatures, it provides heat.
Conclusion
Phase change materials (PCMs) have proven highly valuable across a wide range of applications. Selecting the most suitable one depends heavily on your specific project goals, operating environment, and budget. If you’re looking for an efficient and reliable PCM solution, GALLOP INNOTEK offers products designed to meet diverse needs.
