It’s always a good idea to think about what you want before you go looking for it. That way, when you find it, the decision will be easy. For example, you want a new CPU cooler, but what do you want from it?
Do you want high performance and the best temperatures on the market, or do you just need something to get your processor through until it goes in for RMA? Once that question is answered, choosing the right model becomes easy.
Today we’re going to do the same thing for phase change materials, but with a slight twist.
We’ll be looking at PCMs made from indium, which are some of the best on the market right now.
But before we get to that, let’s take a quick look at what phase change materials actually are.
Phase Change Materials:
In simple terms, a phase change material is something that can absorb and store heat in a reversible manner.
You apply the heat with a heat source such as boiling water, and when it absorbs enough heat, it changes from one state to another. For example, wax becomes molten when you boil water on top of it – then after some time it will solidify again and release the heat.
This is exactly what we want in a PCM, because it can absorb a lot of heat very quickly, then release it slowly over time. That’s why they’re so popular in industrial applications, as well as for thermal management in electronics.
Now that we know what they are, and why we want them, let’s get back to business and take a look at the best on the market right now.
Top 7 phase change materials made from indium and their pros and cons:
7) Indium:
At number seven, we have some pure indium as an alloy. If you’ve ever seen it, then you’ll know that it’s a very soft metal. It’s also quite expensive, which is why it’s not used as often as some of the other materials on this list. However, phase change material made from indium has a high conductivity nature.
Pros of indum:
- Reversible phase change
- High thermal conductivity
- Non-toxic
Cons of indum:
- Expensive
- Low thermal capacity
6) In-N-Butyl:
Number six on our list is a PCM alloy made from indium and butyl. It’s a little more expensive than pure indium, but it has a higher thermal capacity.
Pros of in-n-butyl:
- High thermal capacity
- Reversible phase change
- Non-toxic
Cons of in-n-butyl:
- Expensive
- Low thermal conductivity (compared to others)
5) Zinc:
Number five on our list is zinc. It’s not exactly made from pure indium, but it has a high ratio of the metal inside. When melted, it has a very low boiling point and can absorb a lot of heat very quickly.
Pros of zinc:
- High thermal capacity (for its size)
- Reversible phase change
- Non-toxic
- Inexpensive
Cons of zinc:
- Low thermal conductivity (compared to others)
4) Tin:
Number four on our list is tin. Remember what I said about phase change materials that can melt into a liquid at low temperatures? Tin is one of them – that’s exactly why it’s so popular in electronic cooling. Just like indium, you can use boiling water to increase the thermal capacity.
Pros of tin:
- High thermal capacity
- Reversible phase change
- Non-toxic
- Inexpensive
Cons of tin:
- Low thermal conductivity (compared to others)
3) Gallium:
Number three on our list is gallium. It has a very high thermal capacity, and it’s also one of the most expensive materials on this list.
Pros of gallium:
- Very high thermal capacity
- Reversible phase change
- Non-toxic
Cons of gallium:
- Expensive
2) Indium Tin Oxide:
Number two on our list is indium tin oxide. It’s a PCM alloy that has a very high thermal conductivity. In fact, it’s even higher than some metals.
It has a low melting temperature and can absorb a lot of heat when in liquid form.
Pros of indium tin oxide:
- Very high thermal conductivity (compared to others)
- Reversible phase change
- Non-toxic
Cons of indium tin oxide:
- Expensive
1) Silicon:
Last, but not least on our list is pure silicon. It doesn’t have an amazing thermal capacity like some of the other materials on this list, but it has a high thermal conductivity.
Pros of silicon:
- High thermal conductivity (compared to others)
- Reversible phase change
- Non-toxic
- Inexpensive
Cons of silicon:
- Low thermal capacity (compared to others)
Now that we’ve gone over the top seven phase change materials made from indium, let’s take a look at their pros and cons.
Keep in mind that while some of these materials may have a higher thermal capacity, that doesn’t mean they’re the best for every situation. Make sure you pick the right one for your needs!