Full-Field Strain and Failure Analysis of Titanium Alloy Diamond Lattice

Abstract

The advancement in additive manufacturing has significantly expanded the use of lattice structures in many engineering fields. Titanium diamond lattice structures, produced by a direct metal laser sintering process, were experimentally investigated. Two cell sizes were selected at five different relative densities. Morphological analysis was conducted by digital microscopy. The compressive tests and digital image correlation technique allowed the evaluation of elastic moduli to be used in the Gibson–Ashby model. Failure mechanisms of the structures have been analysed by digital image correlation, which represents a promising technique for strain evaluation of such structures. A non-linear finite element model of the lattice structures was developed and validated using the experimental data. The analysis of the results highlights the good mechanical properties of the Ti6Al4V alloy lattice structures.