Paraffin wax was nanoencapsulated by miniemulsion polymerization. Low solid content batch polymerizations were carried out and the influence of paraffin wax/methyl methacrylate ratio on polymeriztion kinetics, phase change properties, and thermal stability were investigated. Paraffin concentration controls the nucleation mechanism and nanocapsules particle size. The latent heat capacity increases as the content of encapsulated paraffin wax increases. The maximum amount of encapsulated paraffin wax achieved under the experimental conditions was 60 wt %, presenting a latent heat capacity of 140.3 J/g. Moreover, the encapsulated systems present in all cases better thermal stability than pure paraffin wax.

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An innovative Low Pressure Die Casting (LPDC) process has been developed for aluminum cast components based on the application of an extra pressure during the solidification process. The new process, named "Low Pressure Squeeze Casting" (LPSC) has been proved to be able to increase the solidification rate, refining the microstructure of the casting, and reducing its shrinkage porosity. Furthermore, the cycle time is also reduced, increasing the productivity of the process. Two demonstrators from the automotive and wind power industries have been produced to validate the process in a relevant industrial environment.