Thermographic analysis of polyurethane foams integrated with phase change materials designed for dynamic thermal insulation in refrigerated transport

The dispersion process of a micro-encapsulated phase change material (n-tetradecane) into a polyurethane foam was studied in order to develop a micro-composite insulating material with both low thermal conductivity and latent heat storage properties. The maximum weight content of micro-capsules added to the cellular matrix was 13.5%. Dynamic thermal properties of hybrid foams were investigated by means of a thermographic analysis. This was found to be a very effective diagnostic technique in detecting the change in heat transfer rate across the micro-composite foam in an indirect way, i.e. by measuring how the surface temperature changes over time under heat irradiation. Such a material would be of interest in the field of transport of perishable goods, particularly those requiring a controlled regime of carriage/storage temperatures.