Collaborative design of thermal energy storage and impact cushioning performance for martial arts protective gear based on phase change materials

To address the poor heat dissipation and inadequate impact protection of traditional martial arts protective gear, this study proposes a protective gear design based on PCM, creating a synergistic system of thermal energy storage and impact cushioning. Paraffin-based PCM parameters (phase change temperature 33-35?C, latent heat 180 J/g) were determined through DSC testing. A coupled protective gear-human thermal model and a multimedia impact model were established. Simulations were performed using MATLand ANSYS/LS-DYNA, and experimental verification was conducted. The simulation results showed that with 30% PCM filling, a 6 mm PCM layer, and an 8 mm base layer, the thermal storage efficiency, temperature control time was 123 minutes, maximum impact force was 4.4 kN, and energy absorption were 87%, 123 minutes, 4.4 kN, and 84%, respectively. The corresponding experimental data showed a thermal storage efficiency of 85%, temperature control time of 120 min, maximum impact force of 4.2 kN, and energy absorption of 78%, with errors of ?5%. The optimal parameter protective gear achieved an overall score of 89, a 53.4% improvement over the pure EVA control group (58 points). This score meets athletes? needs for "high performance protection + high comfort" and provides a basis for the development of new protective gear (318 words).