Design and numerical investigation of the 3D reinforced re-entrant auxetic and hexagonal lattice structures for energy absorption properties

Abstract

Lattice Structures (LS) are widely recognized for their light weight and excellent mechanical properties. In this study, strut reinforcement technique is applied to enhance the energy absorption properties of 3D re-entrant auxetic (Aux) and hexagonal (Hex) LS. Numerical investigation using finite element analysis (FEA) was carried out to understand the mechanical and energy absorption properties of the novel designs through quasi-static compression test. The uniaxial loading results of the reinforced designs were compared to the traditional 3D hexagonal and re-entrant auxetic LS. In order to numerically simulate the mechanical behaviour of 3D printed LS, mechanical properties of experimentally studied PA2200 matrix material (manufactured via additive manufacturing) was used. Study of the mechanical behaviour of the 3D printed LS parts is essential because additive manufacturing has the capacity to fabricate the complex LS compared to conventional manufacturing processes, and innovative LS design can provide high specific strength of parts. The stress–strain and energy absorption curve results indicate that the purposed new designs are excellent choice for energy absorption properties at large strain. The findings of this study contribute towards the novel design of 3D hexagonal and re-entrant auxetic LS for superior mechanical strength and specific energy absorption properties.