Abstract:
Phase change materials (PCM) help to regulate the microclimate temperature and body
temperature by releasing or absorbing latent heat. This paper focuses on the use of PCM on traditional
textiles as well as technical textiles and is the platform to analyse the behaviour and working principle of
the phase change material on textiles even though it has been used in other industries. This research has
been carried out to analyse ways of maintaining the microclimate temperature for a longer period of time
by considering many parameters which influence the maximum performance of PCM. For the purpose of
this research, the relative merits and demerits of organic and inorganic PCMs were considered, and organic
PCMs were selected. Microcapsules were produced using a chemical method and encapsulated into the
fabric using an in situ polymerisation method. Tests were carried out to ascertain the temperature range
of phase change and the time to maintain the temperature. The research showed that the molecular
weight of the PCM should be reduced to get the temperature close to the body temperature to keep the
microclimate temperature at a constant level. The effects on thermal and aesthetic comfort of clothing
were also explored as a part of the research.
