Superior damage tolerance observed in interpenetrating phase composites composed of aperiodic lattice structures

Abstract

Interpenetrating Phase Composite (IPC) metamaterials, based on lattice topologies, have garnered significant attention as advanced materials for structural applications. However, conventional IPCs, which rely on periodic lattice unit cells, are prone to catastrophic failure due to their global deformation modes. To overcome this limitation, we present a novel IPC design utilizing aperiodic truss unit cells, inspired by the elusive “Einstein” monotile pattern. Our concept is demonstrated through IPC 3D printed via polymer jetting, using a hard polymer as the lattice filler and a soft polymer as the matrix. The distinctive mechanical properties of IPCs are characterized through single and cyclic quasi-static compression testing. Our findings demonstrate that aperiodic IPCs enable progressive deformation with gradual compression stress plateaus. Additionally, aperiodic IPCs exhibit remarkable damage tolerance, retaining 67.59 % of residual energy absorption and 73.83 % of ultimate strength after multiple cyclic compressions up to 30 % strain. These mechanisms are attributed to the synergistic deformation of interconnected unit cells, which lead to self-adjusting plastic collapse, progressive displacement evolution and delocalized deformation. This aperiodic concept paves the way for developing high-performance cushioning protection materials.