SLM-printed lattice structures with tapered vertical struts: Design, simulation and experimentation

Abstract

This study, designed new lattice structures using vertical struts that taper off. The degree of tapering was controlled using a parameter called “α”. To fabricate these structures, 3D-printing technology known as SLM (selected laser melting) was used. These lattice structures were also simulated using finite element analysis (FEA) and tested experimentally. The used material was 316L stainless steel. Stress–strain curves provided insights into their deformation behavior, revealing a noteworthy occurrence: the unloading modulus exceeded the loading modulus. The mechanical properties of these absolute and density-normalized lattice structures, demonstrated improvement with higher values of the shape parameter α. Yield stress increased by 31 %, loading modulus by 21 %, and energy absorption by 33 %. Specific yield stress improved by 24 %, and specific energy absorption increased by 27 %. While simulation and experimental results exhibited a correlation, they differed significantly in modulus estimation, with simulations overestimating it by more than 30 %.