Some properties to consider when selecting a PCM:
- Operating temperature (peak transition temperature or onset temperature)
- Latent heat capacity – see also cost
- Temperature range of phase transitions
- Supercooling tendency (delay in crystallisation allowing PCM to remain liquid below freezing point)
- Thermal conductivity
- Density (impacts volumetric heat capacity)
- Chemical composition, reactivity & chemical stability
- Physical form
- Sustainability, renewability, LCA
- Recyclability or disposability
- Containment/encapsulation requirements
- Compatibility with containers/encapsulation materials
- Stability – does not change physically and chemically over time under application conditions
- Hazards in handling, use, disposal or due to incompatibility and unanticipated reactions etc.
- Cost – how much are you paying per kWh or kJ of latent heat storage capacity? Is all this thermal storage capacity usable in your application? Is it competitive with alternative thermal management strategies?
- Is data available that will permit the properties of the PCM product to be modelled using thermal modelling software?