BAU 2017: Pleasant indoor climate due to phase change materials

Combination of insulation and thermal mass

Research News /

When the summer sun burns in the sky, phase change materials (PCM) integrated in building envelopes absorb the heat – it remains cool inside. When it is getting colder outside, the materials give off heat. Several grams of these storage media can protect against overheating and undercooling for a long time. For the first time, researchers have combined insulating characteristics of foams with PCM thermal masses via established procedures of shaping processes. Due to this combination of materials the heat transfer through walls is reduced for hours.

  • PCM in building materials absorb and give off heat
  • They regulate heat, to secure a pleasant indoor climate
  • Fraunhofer researchers have combined the thermic and insulating characteristics of PCM and foams