Infrared Thermography of Cement Mortar with Phase Change Fibres

¹ Centre of Physics of Minho and Porto Universities (CF-UM-UP), University of Minho, Guimarães, Portugal
² Centre for Textile Science and Technology (2C2T-UMinho), University of Minho, Guimarães, Portugal
³ ARISE, Department of Civil Engineering (ISISE-UMinho), University of Minho, Guimarães, Portugal
⁴ ISISE, Institute of Science and Innovation for Bio-Sustainability (IB-S), Department of Civil Engineering, University of Minho, Guimarães, Portugal
⁵ Centre for Territory, Environment and Construction (CTAC), Department of Civil Engineering, University of Minho, Guimarães, Portugal
⁶ Centre of Physics of Minho and Porto Universities (CF-UM-UP), University of Minho, Portugal
⁷ CERIS, Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal

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Published online: 22 September 2025

Abstract

Urban Heat Islands (UHIs), aggravated by intense urbanisation and heat-retaining materials from buildings and roads, affect the thermal comfort of human beings. To mitigate this issue, this study aims to study the thermal performance of cement mortars with coaxial polymeric fibres produced by wet spinning and containing polyethylene glycol (PEG 600 and 1000) (CM_PCF) as phase change material. Samples were irradiated with a solar simulation lamp and monitored through infrared imaging and a thermometer. The CM_PCFs showed surface temperature reductions of up to 1°C. The results suggest that the phase change fibres can increase energy efficiency and support sustainable strategies for mitigating UHIS.