Experimental and Simulation Analysis on the Mechanical Behavior of 3D-Enhanced Al-Based Tetrahedral Lattice Materials

Herein, the compressive mechanical behavior of novel 3D tetrahedral lattice materials is investigated by ways of experimental, numerical, and analytical methods with a good performance of accuracy. Samples with varied length-diameter ratios are fabricated through 3D printing combined with investment casting method. The compressive behavior, deformation characteristic, and energy property of the lattice materials are comprehensively recorded and analyzed with respect to the geometric parameter and compression directions. It is observed that the length-diameter ratio exhibits a significant influence on the mechanical performance and energy absorption of the materials, that is, the lower the length-diameter ratio, the higher the relative density, strength, and energy absorption. Good agreements are observed among the experimental, numerical, and analytical results within a relative acceptable error. Moreover, the mechanical properties and deformation characteristics of lattice materials depend on compression directions to a great extent. In addition, the novel tetrahedral lattice materials with reasonable relative density present superior performance features compared with the other cellular materials.