Composite materials have great potential for growth due to their excellent properties and
their multiple applications. The study of the thermal properties of the new composites resulting from
the combination of epoxy resin and phase change materials (PCM), as well as thickening agents and
thermally conductive compounds, was the objective of this work. For this purpose, different samples
were manufactured by combining epoxy resins, organic PCMs (paraffins), and aluminum particles.
Several properties were analyzed: thermal behavior (by differential scanning calorimetry technique),
hardness, etc. To carry out this analysis, parameters of PCM quantity and metallic particles in the
composition were varied. The results showed that the epoxy resin acted as a matrix containing the rest
of the components and encapsulating the PCM. The organic PCM showed reversibility when subjected
to multiple cycles. The enthalpy of the organic PCM–resin compound varied linearly according to
the PCM content in the sample. For the content of this material in the samples to reach up to 40%,
the use of thickening agents was necessary. The use of metallic particles improved the conductivity
of the composites even while maintaining a low percentage by weight of metallic particles. Thermal
simulations of the composite in bottom-coating a photovoltaic panel estimated a reduction of several
degrees Celsius, showing the potential use of the PCM–epoxy resin for improving the energy production
of such panels.
