Compression performances and failure modes of 3D printed pyramidal lattice truss composite structures

Abstract

Lattice structures have several advantageous properties, including light weight, high specific strength, and high specific stiffness. 3D printing technology was used to prepare pyramidal structures with different strut diameters. Here, compression tests were used to study the effect of the relative density on the structural deformation mechanism, compression performance, and energy absorption characteristics. The 3D printed pyramidal structures with different strut diameters have three post-failure modes: fracture, stable deforming, and softening. The compression performance of the structure is greater at higher relative densities. The structure absorbs energy well at appropriate relative densities. The finite element method was used to characterize the compression behaviors of the lattice structures. A comparison of structures prepared by previous studies reveals that the 3D printed pyramidal structures prepared in this study have excellent energy absorption capacity in low-density structures.