Morphological Study of Gypsum Boards with PCM through Scanning Electron Microscopy

Abstract

This paper studies a compound material using a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) technique to enlighten its physical, mechanical, and thermal characteristics at a macroscopic level. The material is made of a gypsum matrix with phase change material as an additive, which improves the thermal performance (thermal energy storage capacity). Some reinforcing elements (polypropylene fibers and melamine formaldehyde) have been added to maintain its physical and mechanical performance. First, the morphology of the different aggregates of the compound material have been analyzed (microencapsulated paraffins, gypsum crystal, and polypropylene fiber) and subsequently the morphology of the compound material. A change in the gypsum morphology and a variation of hygrothermal behavior of the cast because of the decrease of porosity has been identified. It produces several types of adhesion—mechanical and electrochemical—among different aggregates. This explains its characteristics at a macroscopic level: a high thermal performance material with an improvement in its physical and mechanical characteristics, required for working as a paneling material in construction.