Generative design and mechanical properties of the lattice structures for tensile and compressive loading conditions fabricated by selective laser melting

Abstract

In this study, the generative design method was adopted to propose new modified lattice structures, which are suitable for tensile and compressive loading conditions. The effects of constraint stress and load magnitude on the lattice structure were analyzed. The inclined beams of body-centered cubic (BCC) were replaced with two parallel or crossed struts to improve the lattices' manufacture ability, obtaining three levels of self-supporting derived structures. Samples of AlSi10Mg material were successfully fabricated by selective laser melting (SLM) technology and the surface morphology was observed under the scanning electron microscope (SEM). The mechanical properties and energy absorption capability of the lattices were investigated by quasi-static compressive testing. Finite element (FE) models were also developed, which were in good accordance with the experiment results. Results indicated that the derived structures perform better load-bearing capacity and energy absorption compared with the original body-centered cubic without (BCC) and with z-struts (BCCZ), and the parallel body-centered cubic with horizontal struts and z-struts (P-BCCXYZ) shows the best. In addition, the effects of shape parameters on elastic modulus and yield strength were also discussed. The proposed lattices are expected to be widely used for components subjected to tensile and compressive loads, such as supporting, guarding, and connecting parts.