Microstructural surface incorporation of phase change materials for thermal management

Abstract

A process for protecting an article from thermal damage includes anodizing a metallic surface of the article to form an anodic layer containing a metal oxide; annealing the anodic layer; introducing a phase change material to pores defined by the anodic layer; and applying a seal layer to seal the phase change material within the pores.

1 . A process for protecting an article from thermal damage, the process comprising in sequence:
 anodizing a metallic surface of the article to form an anodic layer comprising a metal oxide;   annealing the anodic layer;   introducing a phase change material to pores defined by the anodic layer; and   applying a seal layer to seal the phase change material within the pores.   
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the metallic surface comprises aluminum. 
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the metallic surface comprises an aluminum alloy. 
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the metallic surface is anodized with oxalic acid. 
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the metallic surface is anodized with sulfuric acid. 
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the phase change material comprises n-eicosane. 
     
     
         7 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the article comprises a heat sink. 
     
     
         8 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the article comprises a casing, a fan, or a circuit board cooling device. 
     
     
         9 . The process of  claim 8 , wherein the casing is selected from the group consisting of a pump casing, a transmission casing, a differential casing, an electronics casing, and a power generation heat exchange casing. 
     
     
         10 . An article comprising:
 a metallic substrate;   an anodic layer comprising a metal oxide formed on the metallic substrate and defining a plurality of pores;   a phase change composition within the plurality of pores; and   a seal layer sealing the phase change composition within the plurality of pores.   
     
     
         11 . The article of  claim 10 , wherein the metallic substrate comprises aluminum. 
     
     
         12 . The article of  claim 10 , wherein the metallic substrate comprises an aluminum alloy. 
     
     
         13 . The article of  claim 10 , wherein the phase change material comprises n-eicosane. 
     
     
         14 . The article of  claim 10 , wherein the article comprises a heat sink. 
     
     
         15 . A method for microstructural surface incorporation of phase change materials, the method comprising:
 anodizing a surface of an article comprising an aluminum alloy with an acid;   annealing the aluminum alloy in air at a temperature below the melting point of the aluminum alloy;   vacuum-impregnating the aluminum alloy with a phase change material; and   applying a seal layer over the aluminum alloy and phase change material.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the seal layer comprises an epoxy resin. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the seal layer comprises silver paint. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the surface is anodized with oxalic acid. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the surface is anodized with sulfuric acid. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the phase change material comprises n-eicosane.