INVESTIGATION OF THE LOAD-BEARING CAPACITY OF Co-Cr LATTICE STRUCTURES FABRICATED BY SELECTIVE LASER MELTING

Abstract

Additively manufactured Co-Cr lattice structures are promising choices especially in medical applications. This study involves the designing and fabrication of a novel lattice structures with FCCZZ (face-centered cubic with exterior and interior vertical struts) unit cell topology. The manufacturability by selective laser melting (SLM) and the load-bearing capacity of this structure were examined by utilizing scanning electron microscope (SEM) observations and uniaxial compression tests. The samples with FCCZ (face-centered cubic with vertical struts) structures were also produced and analyzed for comparison. The designed lattice structures were successfully manufactured by SLM even though an approximately 1.5-2% increase in the theoretical relative density values was observed. The novel FCCZZ samples exhibited superior performance in terms of the load-bearing capacity compared to FCCZ samples by possessing 17% higher specific strength value.