Enhanced thermal performance of garments embedded with encapsulated phase change material

Abstract

The thermal storage and insulation properties of garments enhanced with phase change material (PCM) will be investigated using a finite difference procedure. A diver dry suit embedded with micro-encapsulated PCM will be shown to enhance thermal protection under extreme temperature conditions. Under conditions of high body heat production a garment embedded with Macro-encapsulated PCM is shown to absorb excess heat while maintaining a relatively constant temperature.