Abstract: The feasibility of simulating thermal characteristics of metal constructions with phase change materials(PCM) is investigated theoretically and numerically.Detailed calculations are shown to evaluate the simulation of a serial of metal boards with different thickness,such as 20 mm,30 mm,50 mm and 100 mm.It is found that the low thermal conductivity of the PCM is a significant disadvantage in simulating thicker metal boards.Based on that,the PCM with reinforced thermal conductivity is used to simulate the metal board with a thickness of more than 100 mm.Good simulation results are obtained.Furthermore,PCM simulations for two common metal constructions,a steel wheel and a pipe,are studied.

Key words: thermal characteristic, phase change material, metal constructions, simulation