A lower temperature difference of the elastocaloric effect by natural rubber

Owing to its high efficiency and specific refrigeration power, elastocaloric refrigeration is a promising technology that is potentially endowed with replacing the conventional steam compression refrigeration. Here, experimental results on the elastocaloric cooling process of natural rubber are presented, achieving a maximum temperature drop during unloading of the natural rubber of 41.30 K with a temperature difference of 68 K between hot and cold ends at an ambient temperature of 253.13 K. Moreover, analytical equations are provided for the temperature variation of cooling and heating natural convection as a function of Fo and Bi numbers, which are fitted to the experimental data and can be used to provide predictions for future elastocaloric refrigeration equipment. Thus, the study unravels the potential of natural rubber as a promising elastocaloric material and its key properties for refrigeration technology.