Investigating the synthesis and application of phase change material composites in firefighting clothing

Elnaz Rahimi; Aziz Babapoor

doi:10.53063/synsint.2025.53303

Elnaz Rahimi ¹
Aziz Babapoor ²

¹ Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
² Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, P.O. Box 179, Ardabil, Iran

https://doi.org/10.53063/synsint.2025.53303

Abstract

Firefighters respond to emergencies and tackle accidents and fires. Currently, efforts are being made to enhance the protection provided by firefighting clothing. Embedding phase change materials (PCMs) in firefighting clothing can lead to the absorption of external heat flow and flame heat, thereby preventing burns by offering enhanced thermal protection. Considering the importance of maintaining occupational safety and health for firefighters, this systematic review aims to investigate the use of PCMs in firefighting clothing and evaluate their effectiveness in providing thermal protection. The research draws on studies obtained from a systematic search of the Web of Science and Scopus databases. The following keywords were utilized: "phase change materials", "firefighting clothing", "firefighting vest", and "firefighting garment". Out of 225 articles identified, 13 numerical and experimental studies met our eligibility criteria. The melting temperature of PCM used in the reviewed studies ranged from 25 to 450 °C, with enthalpy values between 55 and 430 kJ/kg. The results highlighted the potential impact of PCM on enhancing the thermal resistance of firefighting clothing, as well as extending the time it takes for second-degree burns to occur. Additionally, it was concluded that the effectiveness of PCM is influenced by its type, melting temperature, enthalpy, and mass. Environmental conditions, fire scenarios, and exposure time also play significant roles in this context.

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Keywords: Firefighting clothing, Phase change materials, Thermal protection, Thermal resistance

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