Improving thermal properties of exterior plastering mortars with phase change materials with different melting temperatures: paraffin and polyethylene glycol

Abstract

ABSTRACTIn this study, the effect of phase change material on properties of plaster mortar was investigated. Two types of phase change materials (PCM) were used: Paraffin 6035 and Polyethylene Glycol 1450. The PCM were mixed with plastering mortar at 2.5–15% by volume fractions. Experimental series required by TIS were carried out on both ordinary and PCM mortars including flow test, water retention, pull-off test, compressive strength and thermal properties (laboratory and field tests). Results indicated that fresh plastering mortar reacted with the PCM differently depending on the PCM type. The paraffin had a tendency to lower the flow and water retention while the PEG tended to increase them. In hardened stage, both the compressive and pull-off strengths were found to increase at a low PCM content and then decrease when PCM content was higher than 5.0%. For thermal properties, the PCM plastering walls displayed better performance than ordinary plastering wall as seen by the lower peak temperatures and the extended time to reach peak temperature. This research also showed the success of PCM’s application in hot and humid weather where PCM mortar together with hollow concrete blocks could help storing heat at the wall and maintaining the temperature inside the cubicles.