Additive manufactured Triply Periodical Minimal Surface lattice structures with modulated hybrid topology

The fabrication freedom offered by additive manufacturing techniques is a unique asset to be exploited in the design of lightweight lattice structures. Adjusting topological and architectural features towards the design of multi-morphological lattice structures can offer a high potential towards obtaining fine-tuned mechanical response. Herein, to understand the role of unit cell topology and arrangement, various stacking and gradient strategies were implemented to modulate the overall mechanical response of the lattice structures under compression, using two Triply Periodical Minimal Surface (TPMS) unit cell designs. Experimental and numerical approaches were developed to reveal the deformation mechanism and failure modes and quantify stiffness, quasi-static uniaxial compressive strength, and energy absorption capacity of the structures. The topological arrangement of the selected unit cells was found to play a key role in defining the mechanical performance of the designed lattice structures. The obtained results demonstrated the high potential of various graded design elements for obtaining lattice structures with desired properties.