Paraffin/Wood Flour/High-Density Polyethylene Composites for Thermal Energy Storage Material in Buildings: A Morphology, Thermal Performance, and Mechanical Property Study

Thermal energy storage composites were fabricated using paraffin as phase change material (PCM) and wood flour/high-density polyethylene (WF/HDPE) as the composite matrix. Expanded graphite (EG) was added to modify the thermal conductivity. The prepared paraffin/WF/HDPE composites were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry (TG), infrared thermography, and laserflash thermal analysis. Physical and mechanical properties of the composites were also investigated. The results showed that (1) the composite was the integration of paraffin, EG, WF, and HDPE with no new diffraction peaks were found in the XRD pattern; (2) thermal tests indicated that the paraffin/WF/HDPE composites had satisfying temperature conditioning ability, and the thermal conductivity of the composites was improved with the addition of EG; (3) incorporation of paraffin and EG into composites benefited their impact strength, but negatively affected the flexural properties; and (4) mechanical properties of the composites can be acceptable as building materials where mechanical strength are less important. (C) 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers