LFA 1000 – Sodium Nitrate – Thermal conductivity
PCM – Thermal conductivity – Thermal diffusivity
Phase Change Materials (PCMs), also known as latent heat storage materials, have the unique ability to absorb and release thermal energy during a phase change, such as the transition from solid to liquid.
During the freezing process, these materials release substantial energy in the form of latent heat of fusion, while an equivalent amount of energy is absorbed from the surroundings during the melting process. This characteristic makes PCMs versatile for applications in both heating and cooling. A classic example of a phase change material is water/ice, and various substances like paraffins and salt hydrates also fall into the category of PCMs.
In this study, sodium nitrate (NaNO3) was examined over a temperature range from room temperature to 330 °C. Thermal diffusivity was measured using LFA, specific heat capacity was determined through DSC, and density was assessed with a dilatometer. These parameters were then used to calculate the thermal conductivity.
The phase change from solid to liquid at around 310 °C is evident in all the graphs. The thermal diffusivity of the solid decreases with temperature, while in the liquid state, it increases starting from 310 °C. The specific heat capacity experiences a rapid increase after the phase change. As temperature rises, the density decreases. The thermal conductivity exhibits a behavior similar to the specific heat capacity, with a slight increase in the solid state and a more rapid increase in the liquid state. This comprehensive analysis provides valuable insights into the thermal properties of sodium nitrate as a PCM.
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LFA 1000
LFA 1000 – True LaserFlash Analyzer- The premium device Temperature range -125 °C/ -100 °C bis 500 °C and RT up to 1250°C/ 1600°C/ 2000°C/ 2800°C