Phase Change Materials (PCM)
Category: Equipment & Technology / Packaging
Definition: Refrigerants that undergo a solid-to-liquid phase transition at a specific target temperature, absorbing substantial energy while maintaining that precise temperature. Unlike gel packs that freeze at 0°C, PCMs are formulated for specific temperature ranges.
Available Temperature Points:
- -21°C (frozen food applications)
- -3°C (ice cream, some frozen products)
- +5°C (pharmaceutical cold chain – most common)
- +8°C (chilled food products)
- +22°C (controlled room temperature pharmaceuticals)
Advantages Over Gel Packs:
- More precise temperature control throughout duration
- Temperature stays constant during phase change
- Better suited for pharmaceutical applications requiring narrow tolerance
- Reduces required refrigerant quantity
Cost Consideration: PCM solutions cost 3-5× more than equivalent gel packs but deliver superior temperature stability for high-value shipments.
Related Terms: Gel Packs, Latent Heat, Eutectic Plates, Passive Cooling
Find Suppliers: PCM and pharmaceutical packaging suppliers