PCM Encapsulation

Aluminum / Stainless Encapsulation for PCM Containment

PCM encapsulation is a five-kilogram aluminum or 316L stainless steel housing designed to contain thermal storage media, prevent fluid leakage during phase transitions, and provide a finned exterior thermal interface. Maintaining containment under lunar conditions requires durable seal integrity across a 50-year lifetime and a 1,000,000-hour mean time between failures. Because phase change materials undergo approximately 10 percent volumetric expansion upon melting, the unit integrates metal bellows capable of accommodating up to 15 percent volume change to prevent overpressurization. The zero-power assembly utilizes aluminum for paraffin wax and corrosion-resistant 316L stainless steel for salt hydrates within robotically replaceable modular cells.

Aluminum or stainless steel encapsulation for PCM containment — preventing leakage during phase change and providing thermal interface.