Discover the advantages of recycled aluminum as thermal conductivity enhancer
A new research paper released by the Technical University of Cluj Napoca within REN+HOMES’ framework investigates new types of Prepreg Compression Molding (PCM) composites for cooling applications in buildings.
The paper focuses on PCM composites made of n-octadecane with 7% and 7.5% vol. of recycled aluminum added as a thermal conductivity enhancer to avoid sinking during the melting phase and to improve thermal conductivity.
Using recycled aluminum is beneficial, since chips are inexpensive, abundant, and generate a lower environmental impact during composite production.
The study shows that effect of the chip content increased the thermal conductivity values of the composites by 100% (n-octadecane-Al short) and by 600% (n-octadecane-Al-long) compared to n-octadecane.