3D Printing of Thermophysical Properties for Teaching Thermodynamics

A central element of courses on thermodynamics at universities are the fundamentals ofthermophysical property behavior. Thermophysical properties are often complex functionsof at least two variables that comprise phase equilibria, metastable phases, critical pointsetc. The thermal and caloric property behavior, e.g. p = p(v, T) and c_v = c_v(T, v) of puresubstances and vapor-liquid phase equilibria of binary mixtures (pT x) are classical examples.A good spatial imagination is necessary for a complete understanding of the relations ofthe different properties and the different phase regions. In this work, we explore how 3Dprinting can be used for visualizing thermophysical properties more vividly than classical 2Dplots. This is tested using different thermodynamic property examples, e.g. the p = p(v, T)surface of a pure substance with highlights for the binodal, spinodal, critical point, andcharacteristic isotherms. Also, three-dimensional objects describing fluid phase equilibria inbinary mixtures are considered, e.g. azeotropic mixtures. The data for the 3D prints wasobtained in this work from molecular-based equations of state. The 3D printed objects aimat providing the students vivid access to the relations and the behavior of thermophysical properties. We report on first positive experiences on using such 3D printed thermophysicalproperties in teaching.