Mechanical design and energy absorption of 3D novel hybrid lattice metamaterials

In this paper, three-dimensional (3D) novel hybrid lattice structures with exceptional mechanical properties and energy absorbing performances were proposed, and experimental and finite element simulation comparisons were performed to demonstrate their potential in mechanical application. First, different types of basic cubic unit cells were designed for constructing three types of novel hybrid metamaterials, in which stepped circulation of different unit cells was conceived to generate architected metamaterials. Afterwards, quasi-static compression experiments and finite element simulations were performed to study the deformation process and failure mechanisms of as-fabricated hybrid metamaterials. The energy absorption efficiency, specific energy absorption (SEA) indicators, and energy absorption capabilities of different hybrid lattice metamaterials were compared and analyzed. The results show that the deformation mechanisms of novel hybrid lattice were beneficial for generating remarkable elevated densification strain, and the energy absorption efficiency can be tailored by altering the types or sizes of basic unit cells. Strain-hardening and bilinear features were also obtained.