SOLID-SOLID PHASE-CHANGE MATERIALS

Polyether- or polyester-epoxide polymer (PEEP) compositions are disclosed. The compositions comprise reaction products of a polyepoxide compound and a polyol composition. The polyol composition has a melting point within the range of 20° C. to 100° C. and a hydroxyl number less than 35 mg KOH/g. The PEEP composition is a solid-solid phase-change material. As measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) at a heating/cooling rate of 10° C./minute, the PEEP composition has a transition temperature within the range of −10° C. to 70° C., a latent heat at the transition temperature within the range of 30 to 200 J/g, and little or no detectable hysteresis or supercooling upon thermal cycling over at least five heating/cooling cycles that encompass the transition temperature. The PEEP compositions should enable formulators to manage thermal energy changes in many practical applications, including automotive, marine or aircraft parts, building materials, appliance insulation, electronics, textiles, garments, and paints or coatings.