Studies on the mechanical properties and thermal behavior of microencapsulated eutectic mixture in gypsum composite board for thermal regulation in the buildings

M-PCM has been synthesized using in-situ polymerization with eutectic mixture (63% capric acid +37% palmitic acid) in the core and melamine formaldehyde (MF) as shell material. Different dosage (5 and 10%) of synthesized M-PCM was incorporated in the gypsum to form M-PCM gypsum composites (M-PCM-GC). The M-PCM-GC was characterized using Differential Scanning Calorimetric (DSC), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM). The impact of M-PCM incorporation on the effective parameters like compressive strength, flexural strength, apparent density, porosity and thermal behavior was well investigated. Incorporation of M-PCM (5 and 10%) results in the decrement of apparent density, thermal conductivity of GC while the porosity of the GC increases as the dosage of M-PCM increases. Incorporation of 10% of M-PCM to the gypsum results in the enhanced thermal comfort with respect to 0 and 5% dosage as it delays the heat entering the room due to heat adsorption by 1410 s. Hence, the thermal comfort of M-PCM-GC room was more than that of room having simple gypsum boards. Schematic presentation of M-PCM synthesis and its application in gypsum composites. [Display omitted] •Microencapsulation of PCM is carried out using in-situ polymerization.•Compressive strength decreases with the incorporation of M-PCM in gypsum composites.•Flexural strength decreases with the incorporation of M-PCM in gypsum composites.•Thermal conductivity of gypsum board decreases with the incorporation of M-PCM.•Thermal comfort increases with the incorporation of M-PCM in gypsum composites.