Comparative Study on Application of Capric Acid and Stearic Acid as Thermotropic Phase Change Material (PCM) for Imparting Thermo-Regulation Properties on Cotton Fabric

• Published in: J. Inst. Eng. (India) ser. E 2023-06, Vol.104 (1), p.37-49
• Main Authors: Pal, Ayan, Samanta, Ashis Kumar, Kar, Tapas Ranjan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acids; Comparative studies; Cooling; Cotton; Engineering; Heating; Magnesium chloride; Microencapsulation; Original Contribution; Phase change materials; Siloxanes; Stearic acid
• ISSN: 2250-2483; 2250-2491
• DOI: 10.1007/s40034-022-00258-0

This paper focuses on the application of phase change material (PCM) for improving the thermotropic properties of cotton related to comfort of the wearer. In this present work, two PCMs, i.e., Capric acid (CA) and Stearic acid (SA) were applied by direct application on cotton in the presence of MgCl 2 and Hydroxy-Methyl-Poly-Siloxane (HMPS) binder (without micro-encapsulation) and the observed results are analyzed. Direct application of 5% CA on cotton shows that phase changing occurs at 17 and 29 °C for cooling and heating cycle, respectively. Similarly, direct application of 5% SA shows that phase changing occurs at 49 and 60 °C for cooling and heating cycle, respectively. While direct application of 5% CA + 5% SA (1:1 or 50:50) on cotton shows dual phase change to occur both for CA & SA separately, at 17 and 30 °C for CA cooling and heating cycle, respectively, and at 51 and 60 °C for SA cooling and heating cycle, respectively. It indicates that the fabric is suitable for both the lower temperature zone and the relatively higher temperature zone and is also suitable for both winter and summer.