A new concept of Al-Si alloy with core-shell structure as phase change materials for thermal energy storage

• Published in: Materials letters 2019-02, Vol.237, p.193-196
• Main Authors: Zou, Qingchuan, Jie, Jinchuan, Shen, Zhangfeng, Han, Ning, Li, Tingju
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Al-Si alloy; Aluminum base alloys; Composite materials; Containers; Core-shell structure; Energy storage; Energy storage and conversion; Enthalpy; High temperature; Ingots; Materials science; Phase change material; Phase change materials; Silicon; Spheroidizing; Thermal conductivity; Thermal cycling; Thermal energy; Thermal storage
• ISSN: 0167-577X; 1873-4979
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matlet.2018.11.103

•A novel clad Al-Si composite ingot with core-shell structure is provided.•Si-rich shell holds a good structure stability, which prevents leakage of Al-Si melt.•Eutectic Al-Si core has excellent thermal storage capacity and cycling stability.•This composite can be directly used as thermal storage device without containers. A novel phase change material based on the clad Al-Si composite ingot with eutectic Al-Si/Si-rich core-shell structure was designed for the high temperature thermal storage. The constructed Al-Si composite with core-shell structure exhibits a high thermal conductivity, large phase change enthalpy, and excellent cycling performance. Due to the spheroidized primary Si particles and continuous α-Al matrix in the Si-rich layer, the Al-Si composite ingot holds a good shape-stable property at 650 °C, which prevents the leakage of eutectic Al-Si melt during thermal cycling. Therefore, this novel clad Al-Si composite is a promising material for high temperature thermal storage, which may be directly used as an actual thermal storage device without containers.