Effect of Gradient Strategies on the Compressive Properties of 316L Stainless Steel Gradient Lattice Structures Fabricated by Selective Laser Melting

Lattice structures attract great interest in aerospace, automotive, and biomedical engineering for their low density, high stiffness and strength, and excellent acoustic and damping properties. However, current research on gradient lattice structures remains relatively limited, leaving substantial room for further exploration. This study designs gradient lattice structures using various gradient strategies and investigates their impact on compressive properties. The corresponding specimens are fabricated using selective laser melting. Quasi‐static compression tests are conducted on the lattice structures with various gradient strategies through a combination of simulation and experimental methods. Scanning electron microscopy is utilized to observe the microstructures of two types of gradient strategy lattice structures: Dgls and Igls. The experimental results demonstrate that uniform, single‐gradient, and double‐gradient structures exhibit distinct deformation behaviors, indicating that strut diameter has a more significant influence on the deformation behavior of gradient lattice structures than cell size. The combined cell size and strut diameter gradients in Dgls significantly improve load‐bearing capacity and energy absorption by optimizing strut diameter distribution across mechanically superior cells. Single‐gradient lattice structures have demonstrated superior mechanical performance in all aspects compared to uniform structures. Consequently, this study provides technical support for predicting the compressive response of various gradient lattice structures.