Experimental study on thermal storage performance of paraffin/TPMS porous AlSi10Mg alloy composite materials

doi:10.11949/0438-1157.20250206

Abstract

Abstract:

The triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) structure provides a new solution for the design of phase change thermal storage system due to its unique geometric morphology, adjustable pore structure and excellent thermal performance. In this paper, four typical TPMS structures, including Gyroid-Sheet, Gyroid-Network, Diamond-Sheet, and Diamond-Network, were fabricated using selective laser melting technology, and were composited with paraffin. Based on a visualized experiment under a side-heating boundary condition, the influence of porosity, unit cell structure and types on the effective thermal conductivity, specific surface area, and thermal storage performance of the paraffin/TPMS porous AlSi10Mg alloy composite phase change materials (PCMs) were investigated. The solid-liquid interface evolution and temperature distribution during the melting process were determined, and the thermal energy storage enhancement mechanism of TPMS structures was revealed. The results indicate that TPMS-structured composite PCMs exhibit significant advantages in enhancing thermal storage performance, characterized by high effective thermal conductivity and large specific surface area. The thermal storage rate was improved by more than 60% compared to pure paraffin. Among the four TPMS structures, the Diamond-Sheet structure demonstrated the fastest thermal energy storage rate and the best temperature uniformity, when the porosity ranged from 70% to 85%. The purpose of this study is to provide guidance for the structural design of porous metal composite phase change materials with TPMS structures and to offer experimental data support for their applications.

Key words: selective laser melting, TPMS structure, composites, phase change, heat transfer

摘要：

三周期极小曲面（triply periodic minimal surface，TPMS）结构因其独特的几何形貌、可调控的孔隙结构和优异的热性能，为相变蓄热系统设计提供了新的解决方案。通过激光选区熔化技术制备了四种典型的TPMS结构多孔AlSi10Mg合金，包括Gyroid-Sheet、Gyroid-Network、Diamond-Sheet和Diamond-Network结构，并与石蜡进行复合。采用侧面加热边界条件，基于可视化实验研究，探讨了孔隙率、胞元结构和类型对石蜡/TPMS结构多孔AlSi10Mg合金复合相变材料等效热导率、比表面积及蓄热性能的影响规律，探明了熔化过程中固液相界面的演变规律和温度分布特征，揭示了TPMS结构的强化蓄热机理。结果表明，TPMS结构复合相变材料在提高蓄热性能方面表现出显著优势，具有等效热导率高、比表面积大的特性，其蓄热速率较纯石蜡提高了60%以上。当孔隙率为70%~85%时，四种TPMS结构中，Diamond-Sheet结构的蓄热速率最快，温度均匀性最好。本研究旨在为TPMS结构多孔金属复合相变材料的结构设计提供指导，并为其应用提供实验数据支持。

关键词: 激光选区熔化, TPMS结构, 复合材料, 相变, 传热

CLC Number:

TK 02

Fuhan WANG, Huiru WANG, Chengzhuo ZHAO, Zhenyu LIU, Weijun LIU, Hongyou BIAN. Experimental study on thermal storage performance of paraffin/TPMS porous AlSi10Mg alloy composite materials[J]. CIESC Journal, 2025, 76(10): 5414-5425.

王芾涵, 王慧儒, 赵成卓, 刘振宇, 刘伟军, 卞宏友. 石蜡/TPMS结构多孔AlSi10Mg合金复合相变材料蓄热性能实验研究[J]. 化工学报, 2025, 76(10): 5414-5425.

Figures/Tables 14

Fig.1 The designed models of the TPMS structures

Fig.2 SEM image and particle size distribution of AlSi10Mg alloy powder

Table 1 Chemical composition of AlSi10Mg alloy powder

Element	Content/%(mass)
Si	9.64
Mg	0.38
Ti	<0.01
Ni	<0.01
Mn	<0.01
Cu	<0.01
Fe	<0.01
Zn	<0.01
Pb	<0.01
Sn	<0.01
O	0.036
Al	balance

Fig.3 SLM-fabricated TPMS structure: (a) experimental flowchart; (b) schematic diagram of SLM process; (c) photograph of the samples

Fig.4 DSC curves of paraffin RT50

Fig.5 Schematic diagram of the preparation process and photograph of the samples of paraffin/TPMS composite PCM

Fig.6 Visualized experimental system of solid-liquid phase change heat storage

Fig.7 Effective thermal conductivity and specific surface area of different TPMS structures

Fig.8 Evolution of solid-liquid interfaces for pure paraffin and paraffin/TPMS composite PCMs

Fig.9 Comparison of temperature measured between infrared camera and thermocouples

Fig.10 Evolution of temperature distribution for pure paraffin and paraffin/TPMS composite PCMs

Fig.11 Variation of liquid fraction for pure paraffin and paraffin/TPMS composite PCMs

Fig.12 Comparison of melting time among different paraffin/TPMS composite PCMs

Fig.13 Heat storage performance for pure paraffin and paraffin/TPMS composite PCMs

References 40

[1]	Khan J, Singh P. Review on phase change materials for spacecraft avionics thermal management[J]. Journal of Energy Storage, 2024, 87: 111369.
[2]	Chen H J, Abidi A, Hussein A K, et al. Investigation of the use of extended surfaces in paraffin wax phase change material in thermal management of a cylindrical lithium-ion battery: applicable in the aerospace industry[J]. Journal of Energy Storage, 2022, 45: 103685.
[3]	Huang X, Alva G, Jia Y T, et al. Morphological characterization and applications of phase change materials in thermal energy storage: a review[J]. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2017, 72: 128-145.
[4]	Lin Y X, Jia Y T, Alva G, et al. Review on thermal conductivity enhancement, thermal properties and applications of phase change materials in thermal energy storage[J]. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2018, 82: 2730-2742.
[5]	Liu L K, Su D, Tang Y J, et al. Thermal conductivity enhancement of phase change materials for thermal energy storage: a review[J]. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2016, 62: 305-317.
[6]	Pielichowska K, Pielichowski K. Phase change materials for thermal energy storage[J]. Progress in Materials Science, 2014, 65: 67-123.
[7]	施尚, 余建祖, 陈梦东, 等. 基于泡沫铜/石蜡的锂电池热管理系统性能[J]. 化工学报, 2017, 68(7): 2678-2683.
	Shi S, Yu J Z, Chen M D, et al. Battery thermal management system using phase change materials and foam copper[J]. CIESC Journal, 2017, 68(7): 2678-2683.
[8]	韦攀, 喻家帮, 郭增旭, 等. 环形管填充金属泡沫强化相变蓄热可视化实验[J]. 化工学报, 2019, 70(3): 850-856.
	Wei P, Yu J B, Guo Z X, et al. Experimental visualization on thermal energy storage enhancement through metal foam filled annuli[J]. CIESC Journal, 2019, 70(3): 850-856.
[9]	Ding C, Shan Y J, Nie Q. Thermal performance of phase change material-based heat sink with hybrid fin-metal foam structure under hypergravity conditions[J]. International Journal of Energy Research, 2022, 46(5): 5811-5827.
[10]	Almesmari A, Alagha A N, Naji M M, et al. Recent advancements in design optimization of lattice-structured materials[J]. Advanced Engineering Materials, 2023, 25(17): 2201780.
[11]	Feng J W, Fu J Z, Yao X H, et al. Triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) porous structures: from multi-scale design, precise additive manufacturing to multidisciplinary applications[J]. International Journal of Extreme Manufacturing, 2022, 4(2): 022001.
[12]	Samson S, Tran P, Marzocca P. Design and modelling of porous gyroid heatsinks: influences of cell size, porosity and material variation[J]. Applied Thermal Engineering, 2023, 235: 121296.
[13]	Cheng Z L, Xu R N, Jiang P X. Morphology, flow and heat transfer in triply periodic minimal surface based porous structures[J]. International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 2021, 170: 120902.
[14]	Oh S H, An C H, Seo B, et al. Functional morphology change of TPMS structures for design and additive manufacturing of compact heat exchangers[J]. Additive Manufacturing, 2023, 76: 103778.
[15]	Fabrizio Q, Boschetto A, Rovatti L, et al. Replication casting of open-cell AlSi7Mg0.3 foams[J]. Materials Letters, 2011, 65(17/18): 2558-2561.
[16]	Cheng Y, Li Y X, Chen X, et al. Fabrication of aluminum foams with small pore size by melt foaming method[J]. Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B, 2017, 48(2): 754-762.
[17]	Huang R X, Ma S Q, Zhang M D, et al. Dynamic deformation and failure process of quasi-closed-cell aluminum foam manufactured by direct foaming technique[J]. Materials Science and Engineering: A, 2019, 756: 302-311.
[18]	Banhart J. Manufacture, characterisation and application of cellular metals and metal foams[J]. Progress in Materials Science, 2001, 46(6): 559-632.
[19]	Rodriguez-Contreras A, Punset M, Calero J A, et al. Powder metallurgy with space holder for porous titanium implants: a review[J]. Journal of Materials Science & Technology, 2021, 76: 129-149.
[20]	Yamanoglu R, Bahador A, Kondoh K. Fabrication methods of porous titanium implants by powder metallurgy[J]. Transactions of the Indian Institute of Metals, 2021, 74(11): 2555-2567.
[21]	刘伟, 李能, 周标, 等. 复杂结构与高性能材料增材制造技术进展[J]. 机械工程学报, 2019, 55(20): 128-151, 159.
	Liu W, Li N, Zhou B, et al. Progress in additive manufacturing on complex structures and high-performance materials[J]. Journal of Mechanical Engineering, 2019, 55(20): 128-151, 159.
[22]	Changdar A, Chakraborty S S, Li Y C, et al. Laser additive manufacturing of aluminum-based stochastic and nonstochastic cellular materials[J]. Journal of Materials Science & Technology, 2024, 183: 89-119.
[23]	Song B, Zhao X, Li S, et al. Differences in microstructure and properties between selective laser melting and traditional manufacturing for fabrication of metal parts: a review[J]. Frontiers of Mechanical Engineering, 2015, 10(2): 111-125.
[24]	Liu W J, Li W Q, Wang H R, et al. Surface modification of porous titanium and titanium alloy implants manufactured by selective laser melting: a review[J]. Advanced Engineering Materials, 2023, 25(21): 2300765.
[25]	刘飞, 唐艺川, 谢海琼, 等. 选区激光熔化成形极小曲面点阵的结构和性能优化[J]. 中国激光, 2023, 50(12): 1202303.
	Liu F, Tang Y C, Xie H Q, et al. Optimization of structure and performance of minimal surface lattice formed by selective laser melting[J]. Chinese Journal of Lasers, 2023, 50(12): 1202303.
[26]	Yan C Z, Hao L, Hussein A, et al. Ti-6Al-4V triply periodic minimal surface structures for bone implants fabricated via selective laser melting[J]. Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials, 2015, 51: 61-73.
[27]	Bobbert F S L, Lietaert K, Eftekhari A A, et al. Additively manufactured metallic porous biomaterials based on minimal surfaces: a unique combination of topological, mechanical, and mass transport properties[J]. Acta Biomaterialia, 2017, 53: 572-584.
[28]	Kotadia H R, Gibbons G, Das A, et al. A review of laser powder bed fusion additive manufacturing of aluminium alloys: microstructure and properties[J]. Additive Manufacturing, 2021, 46: 102155.
[29]	Biffi C A, Bassani P, Fiocchi J, et al. Investigation of high temperature behavior of AlSi10Mg produced by selective laser melting[J]. Materials Chemistry and Physics, 2021, 259: 123975.
[30]	Tan Q Y, Liu Y G, Fan Z Q, et al. Effect of processing parameters on the densification of an additively manufactured 2024 Al alloy[J]. Journal of Materials Science & Technology, 2020, 58: 34-45.
[31]	Mehta A, Zhou L, Huynh T, et al. Additive manufacturing and mechanical properties of the dense and crack free Zr-modified aluminum alloy 6061 fabricated by the laser-powder bed fusion[J]. Additive Manufacturing, 2021, 41: 101966.
[32]	Li G, Li X W, Guo C, et al. Investigation into the effect of energy density on densification, surface roughness and loss of alloying elements of 7075 aluminium alloy processed by laser powder bed fusion[J]. Optics & Laser Technology, 2022, 147: 107621.
[33]	Zhou Y, Ning F D, Zhang P, et al. Geometrical, microstructural, and mechanical properties of curved-surface AlSi10Mg parts fabricated by powder bed fusion additive manufacturing[J]. Materials & Design, 2021, 198: 109360.
[34]	Tian Y, Liu X L, Luo Q Y, et al. Sea urchin skeleton-inspired triply periodic foams for fast latent heat storage[J]. International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 2023, 206: 123944.
[35]	Zhang T, Liu F, Deng X, et al. Experimental study on the thermal storage performance of phase change materials embedded with additively manufactured triply periodic minimal surface architected lattices[J]. International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 2022, 199: 123452.
[36]	Qureshi Z A, Al-Omari S A B, Elnajjar E, et al. Nature-inspired triply periodic minimal surface-based structures in sheet and solid configurations for performance enhancement of a low-thermal-conductivity phase-change material for latent-heat thermal-energy-storage applications[J]. International Journal of Thermal Sciences, 2022, 173: 107361.
[37]	Bian Z, Hou F, Wang H, et al. Experimental and numerical investigations of enhanced thermal energy storage performance for foam/paraffin composite under different heating conditions[J]. Journal of Energy Storage, 2022, 55: 105506.
[38]	Tang W, Zhou H, Zeng Y, et al. Analysis on the convective heat transfer process and performance evaluation of triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) based on Diamond, Gyroid and Iwp[J]. International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 2023, 201: 123642.
[39]	Spierings A B, Schneider M, Eggenberger R. Comparison of density measurement techniques for additive manufactured metallic parts[J]. Rapid Prototyping Journal, 2011, 17(5): 380-386.
[40]	Catchpole-Smith S, Sélo R R J, Davis A W, et al. Thermal conductivity of TPMS lattice structures manufactured via laser powder bed fusion[J]. Additive Manufacturing, 2019, 30: 100846.