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Innovation
Graphite composite heat exchanger plates by Reliefed.
company has already validated the technology for flow plates with complex flow structures in a large range of materials like for example highly filled graphite composites and various technical cerams.
Technical performance and design freedom One of the advantages of Reliefed’ s technology is the design freedom it enables. When compared to conventional metal stamping the process supports sharper release angles and asymmetric geometries, such as different designs on each side of the plate. Unlike injection molding, the plate dimensions are not constrained by the need to fill a mold cavity from a central gate. The in-line forming approach removes these flow limitations, allowing for a wider choice of materials and greater flexibility in plate size. A major cost-efficiency driver is the modularity of the tooling. By incorporating interchangeable or rotating elements, a single tool can produce a variety of flow patterns for the same plate size. This makes it possible to tailor designs to specific application needs without the high costs and long lead times typically associated with custom tooling. From a technical standpoint, the plate has shown strong potential to meet system requirements in both simulations and real-world testing.
Environmental considerations Non-metallic flow plates offer a significantly lower carbon footprint compared to metal alternatives. Metals require energy-intensive extraction, melting, and forming, while polymer and composite materials can be processed with far less energy. Reliefed’ s continuous forming technology further reduces environmental impact by operating at lower temperatures and using less energy per part than conventional methods like machining or injection molding.
In addition, the use of corrosion-resistant materials extends product life and reduces maintenance needs over time. This not only improves system reliability but also contributes to lower total emissions across the full lifecycle of the product.
From pilot to production Reliefed has already worked with partners in the energy and transportation sectors, including Alfa Laval, Volvo Group, and Polestar, to test and validate its plate technology for various flow plate designs. These cases span applications in hydrogen fuel cells, battery cooling, and heat recovery from aggressive gas streams. Initial sample deliveries has already begun, with pilot capacity based in Sweden. A larger rollout is expected to follow in 2026 with internal capacity for high volume plate production serving customers’ needs to scale fast.
Thermal distribution in graphite heat exchanger plate. www. heat-exchanger-world. com Heat Exchanger World July 2025
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