Latent-heat packets that flatten temperature swings — not a substitute for λ insulation, a complement.
Also called: PCM · salt hydrate PCM · paraffin PCM
Phase-change material is one of 32 materials in this atlas, grouped under thermal: history, structure, measured properties, process routes, uses, safety and market — not a product catalogue.
Scores compare Phase-change material with the rest of the atlas on strength, heat, fire behaviour, insulation, workability and circularity. They are editorial, not certificates.
Seven chapters follow. Fire and insulation claims name test families (Euroclass, ASTM E84, ISO 5660, KS F) rather than inventing a single safety number.
Deep introduction
Phase-change material (paraffins / salt hydrates / bio-waxes) is a family of grades whose density ~0.8–1.6 g/cm³, heat band designed 18–28 °C for buildings, and fire letter paraffin = combustible; salts vary.
Phase-change material is sold as grades, not as a single substance. Chemistry paraffins / salt hydrates / bio-waxes, density ~0.8–1.6 g/cm³, heat band designed 18–28 °C for buildings.
This atlas treats Phase-change material as a system: mill route, coatings, tests and the cavity it sits in.
Conductivity note: low-to-moderate; often needs fins or graphite. Insulation score 52/100 is relative to 32 entries — metals lose, VIPs and aerogels win.
Fire letter in editorial use: paraffin = combustible; salts vary. Do not equate A1 with “safe in a blaze” or E with “illegal”. Assemblies decide.
Origin: NASA / Telkes 1940s–70s; building PCM 2000s, United States / Germany. The process chapter follows feedstock → conversion → forming → finish → install.
Uses span buildings to defence / safety. Pairings matter: mineral-wool.
Producers below are landmarks, not an endorsement ranking. Prices are bands, not live quotes.
Circularity mark 48/100. Ask which scrap, which certificate, which year.
United States · 1948
Maria Telkes is a reference point in the public image of Phase-change material.
Europe · historic
Glauber’s salt is a reference point in the public image of Phase-change material.
Germany · 2000s
Micronal board is a reference point in the public image of Phase-change material.
Global · 20th c.–
Ice pack is a reference point in the public image of Phase-change material.
United States · 1990s–
NASA PCM vest is a reference point in the public image of Phase-change material.
Global · 2010s–
Cold-chain box is a reference point in the public image of Phase-change material.
Global · historic
Paraffin candle physics is a reference point in the public image of Phase-change material.
Global · 2020s
Battery PCM pad is a reference point in the public image of Phase-change material.
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Same family or rival physics — pick a duel.
Closest neighbours on the six atlas axes — strength, heat, fire, insulation, workability and circularity.
A kilometre-class animal filament — luxury cloth, sutures and a template for bio-inspired fibres.
Overall 41 🌱Seed-hair cellulose that dressed the industrial revolution — still the comfort fibre of daily wear.
Overall 44 🐑Crimped keratin that traps still air — suiting, carpets and a quietly decent fire story among apparel fibres.
Overall 53 🧽The low-λ organic foam of fridges and buildings — excellent insulation, a fire design problem unless PIR and coverings are honest.
Overall 46Melted rock or glass spun into A1 batts — the default non-combustible insulation of codes.
Overall 69 🧽The low-λ organic foam of fridges and buildings — excellent insulation, a fire design problem unless PIR and coverings are honest.
Overall 46 📦A sealed vacuum sandwich — λ around 0.004–0.008 W/m·K until the envelope leaks.
Overall 44