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Nanotechnology

Ferro-Alloys Show Promise as High-Temperature Phase Change Materials

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) have discovered that ferro-alloys possess significant potential as high-temperature phase change materials, capable of storing energy at temperatures above 1000 degrees Celsius and exceeding 1 MWh m-3 in energy storage capacity. This breakthrough could enhance the functionality and availability of renewable energy sources, particularly in concentrated solar power technologies. The study, which was peer-reviewed and published in the International Journal of Minerals, Metallurgy and Materials, identified specific ferro-alloy compositions that exhibit optimal phase transition characteristics and heat storage potential.

Key Takeaways:

  • Ferro-alloys, specifically the Fe-Si-B system, offer exceptionally high latent heat and energy storage capacity despite challenges posed by their high melting point and cost.
  • The Fe-Si-Cr system revealed promising alloys, such as Fe-34Si-38Cr and Fe-34Si-43Cr, offering excellent energy storage density and favorable phase transition temperatures.
  • The Fe-Si-V system showed alloys like Fe-36Si-14V and Fe-34Si-10V meeting energy storage criteria, although their high melting points may restrict practical applicability.
  • The Fe-Si-Ti system achieved energy storage capacities of approximately 1.5 MWh m-3 with compositions like Fe-38Si-20Ti and Si-48Ti.
  • Ferro-alloy PCMs performed comparably to state-of-the-art metallic PCMs in the study.

Statistics:

  • Energy storage capacity: exceeding 1 MWh m-3
  • Operational temperature: above 1000 degrees Celsius
  • Energy storage density: excellent in the Fe-Si-Cr system
  • Phase transition temperatures: favorable in the Fe-Si-Cr and Fe-Si-Ti systems
  • Melting points: exceptionally high in some Si-Ti phases
  • High latent heat: exhibited in the Fe-Si-B system

Sources:

  • "Ferro-alloys As High Temperature Phase Change Materials" in International Journal of Minerals, Metallurgy and Materials, 2025; 32(9): 2177-2188.
  • Online version of the article: https://www.elsevier.com/locate/ijm3 (accessed October 20, 2025).
  • Contact information: Paolo Lai Zhong Lo Biundo, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Dept. of Materials Sciences and Engineering, Alfred Getz Vei 2, No-7491 Trondheim, Norway.

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