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Crystaline polymers as heat storage materials in passive thermal protection systems
Author(s) -
Kaelble D. H.,
Cirlin E. H.,
Dynes P. J.
Publication year - 1975
Publication title -
polymer engineering and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.503
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1548-2634
pISSN - 0032-3888
DOI - 10.1002/pen.760150907
Subject(s) - materials science , enthalpy of fusion , differential scanning calorimetry , polymer , thermal energy storage , polyethylene , thermal stability , composite material , fusion , recrystallization (geology) , heat stability , heat capacity , chemical engineering , thermodynamics , melting point , paleontology , linguistics , philosophy , physics , biology , engineering
Previous studies have evaluated low molecular weight crystalline materials as latent heat sinks for passive thermal protection systems. This study evaluated crystalline polymers as heat storage materials. Differential scanning calorimetry and Instron thermomechanical analysis are applied in dynamic studies of cumulative histories of melting and recrystallization. Commercially available crystalline polymers with melting temperatures T m ≥ 100°C can provide fully reversible heats of fusion Δ H m ≥ 35 cal/gm under programmed heating‐cooling cycles. A linear polyethylene (Marlex 6050) is modified by radiation crosslinking to retain shape stability above T m with‐out loss of heat storage capability. The essentially zero vapor pressure and inherent shape stability of crosslinked crystalline polymers may provide unique advantages as uncontained, non‐expendable, heat storage materials.