Abstract
Several methods already exist for the measurement of the thermal regulatory properties of fabrics containing phase change materials (PCMs). However, they do not adequately simulate the actual use condition; consequently the measurements may not have relevance to the performance of PCM fabrics in actual use. Here we report on the development of a new method, which better simulates the real use situation. In this method, a hot plate, simulating the human body, generates a constant amount of heat depending on the type of human activity to be simulated. The hot plate covered by the PCM fabric is then exposed to a thermal transient simulating a wearer moving from one thermal environment to another; the changes of surface temperature and heat loss of the hot plate are then recorded and used to characterize the thermal regulatory properties of the PCM fabrics. © 2009 IOP Publishing Ltd.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 025110 |
Journal | Measurement Science and Technology |
Volume | 20 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 2009 |
Keywords
- Phase change material
- Testing method
- Thermal regulating
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Instrumentation
- Applied Mathematics