Compositional and thermophysical study of Al–Si- and Zn–Al–Mg-based eutectic alloys for latent heat storage

Abstract In this study, the eutectic temperature and latent heat of Al–Si- and Zn–Al–Mg-based eutectic alloys were determined using differential thermal analysis (DTA) and differential scanning calorimetry measurements in order to identify eutectic alloys for latent heat storage in the eutectic temperature ranges of 450–550 and 300–350°C. First, the eutectic compositions of the Al–Si–Cu–Mg–Zn and Zn–Al–Mg–Sn alloys were identified using scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and DTA in two steps. In the second step, metallographic analysis was repeated until a uniform eutectic microstructure was obtained. Thermophysical analysis revealed that the eutectic temperatures of several types of Al–Si- and Zn–Al–Mg-based eutectic alloys were within the targeted temperature ranges with relatively high latent heat. These results confirmed that Al–Si- and Zn–Al–Mg-based eutectic alloys have suitable properties as phase change materials for use in the 300–350 and 450–550°C temperature ranges.