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Technology incorporated into plaster transforms internal walls into allies of thermal comfort by storing and releasing heat as the temperature changes, maintaining the conventional appearance of the finish and expanding the debate on energy efficiency in residential, commercial buildings, and interior renovations.
Plasterboards with phase change material, known by the acronym PCM, have been studied in civil construction as an alternative to enhance thermal comfort in indoor environments without increasing the thickness of walls, ceilings, and partitions.
Instead of automatically replacing common plaster, the proposal adds a passive function of heat storage and release to the finish, maintaining a system visually similar to solutions already used in residential and commercial works.
The technology works differently from conventional insulation, which primarily acts as a barrier to reduce heat transfer between indoor and outdoor environments.
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In the case of PCMs, the material works as a thermal reservoir incorporated into the wall, absorbing energy when the temperature rises and releasing part of this heat when the environment cools down.
During the phase change, a process that occurs within a defined temperature range, the PCM can absorb or release thermal energy without requiring motors, compressors, or direct electricity consumption.
With this dynamic, the application in plasterboards seeks to smooth thermal peaks and reduce abrupt variations within properties, especially in lightweight constructions and areas exposed to fluctuations throughout the day.
How the plasterboard with PCM works
In 2024, a study published in the scientific journal Buildings evaluated the Comfortboard23, a commercial plasterboard by Knauf that incorporates microencapsulated PCM into the material matrix.
The research identified the presence of microcapsules in the structure of the board and measured indicators such as U-value, thermal conductivity, heat storage capacity, and dynamic response under temperature variations.
In comparative tests, the incorporation of PCM reduced the U-value by 2% compared to standard plasterboards analyzed by the researchers.
Besides this reduction, the study recorded an increase of about 45% in heat storage capacity, accompanied by changes in thermal delay and the behavior of the board during heating and cooling cycles.
The U-value indicates the amount of heat that passes through a building component under certain evaluation conditions.
The lower this indicator, the less likely it is for thermal transfer through the analyzed material, although the actual performance of a wall also depends on installation, associated layers, and building characteristics.
Heat storage without increasing the wall
In lightweight internal systems, low thermal inertia is often a significant limitation for occupant comfort.
Drywalls, thin partitions, and ceilings can heat up or cool down quickly, increasing the perception of thermal variation at certain times of the day.
By receiving phase change material, the gypsum board starts to store thermal energy through latent heat, without requiring a thicker or heavier wall.
When the internal temperature rises, part of the heat is absorbed during the phase change; during cooling, this energy can be gradually released.
To make this application viable, microencapsulation plays a central role in the formulation of the board.
Small PCM particles are enclosed by microscopic capsules, allowing them to be mixed with gypsum and reducing the risk of leakage during repeated heating and cooling cycles.
From a visual standpoint, the solution maintains an appearance similar to that of a traditional finishing board.
The difference lies in the added function to the component, which no longer acts solely as an internal surface but also participates in the passive thermal control of the environment.
Energy efficiency depends on the design
Another scientific review on the incorporation of PCMs in buildings, also published in 2024, indicates that these materials can moderate internal temperatures by absorbing and releasing heat during phase transitions.
Despite the potential, the analysis highlights that performance, cost-effectiveness, durability, and compatibility with other materials remain decisive factors for large-scale adoption.
This technical care is necessary because the result does not depend solely on the presence of PCM within the board.
The phase change temperature range needs to align with the local climate, the use of the environment, ventilation, solar exposure, building orientation, and the existing climate control system.
In the technical literature, the position of the PCM in the building envelope, the thickness of the applied layer, and the chosen melting temperature also appear as relevant factors.
These parameters directly influence the material’s ability to absorb and release heat at the time when thermal exchange most effectively contributes to internal comfort.
For this reason, the gypsum board with PCM should not be treated as a standalone solution for all thermal comfort issues.
Its use can complement ventilation, shading, insulation, proper solar orientation, and air conditioning systems, as long as it is part of a well-designed architectural project.
Where technology can gain ground
For the construction industry, the interest lies in improving thermal performance through an element already familiar in residential and commercial buildings.
Gypsum appears in internal walls, ceilings, and partitions because it is lightweight, moldable, and relatively simple to install, which facilitates the integration of new functions into the construction system.
In buildings with high air conditioning demand, materials capable of reducing internal fluctuations can contribute to occupant comfort and more efficient operation.
Even so, energy gains vary according to climate, usage pattern, project quality, and the set of solutions adopted in each building.
Bedrooms, living rooms, offices, schools, hospitals, and commercial areas are among the environments that can be considered for this type of technology when greater thermal stability is needed.
In internal renovations, the solution can also find space by maintaining proximity to dry wall systems and traditional finishes, without requiring deep visual changes to the project.
However, adoption on a commercial scale depends on a combination of technical and economic factors.
Besides thermal performance, manufacturers and designers need to consider mechanical resistance, stability of the gypsum matrix, behavior in repeated cycles, and cost compared to conventional boards.
Common gypsum remains relevant for its price, availability, and wide installation chain, especially in projects that prioritize cost and quick execution.
Boards with PCM expand the role of internal finishing, but tend to advance first in projects that seek measurable thermal performance and can justify the investment.
With this technology, internal elements of construction take on a function that goes beyond dividing spaces.
The wall ceases to be just a finishing surface and starts to integrate passive thermal control strategies, provided that specification, installation, and climatic context are aligned with the expected performance.
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