Review of Heat Exchangers Enabled by Polymer and Polymer Composite Additive Manufacturing

Abstract

This paper presents an overview of the most common polymer additive manufacturing processes, including vat photopolymerization, material jetting, sheet lamination, powder bed fusion, and fused filament fabrication. Next, the general strengths and challenges of the common methods are discussed and are followed by discussions on efforts to increase thermal performance of polymers used with the various manufacturing methods. Finally, heat exchangers enabled by polymer additive manufacturing are reviewed to show that novel designs in metal, ceramic, and polymer heat exchangers can be made possible by the unique properties of polymers and the advantages offered by additive manufacturing. By reporting what has been proven possible—and the associated challenges—we hope to stimulate the community and further development in a burgeoning field enabled by polymer additive manufacturing.