Experimental and finite element analysis of the open-cells porous materials subjected to compression mechanical loading

Abstract

Progress in Additive Manufacturing (AM) technology enables the fabrication of complex structures that could not be obtained with traditional manufacturing methods. One AM research area is the development and use of lightweight products with cellular structures, containing complex lattices and pores, which give improved performance and functionality. It is well known that there is a strong link between mechanical properties and architecture of samples with cellular structures. This paper presents a comparison and validation of Finite Element Analysis (FEA) simulations of cellular structures with experimental data obtained from compression tests, and degradation behaviour under load compression. The specimens, with spherical open-cells, were produced in VeroClear RGD810 photopolymer resin. Mechanical compression tests were performed to investigate the compressive behaviour and the mechanical response was registered in the form of compressive stress-strain curves. Also, using the specimens’ CAD data and compression test parameters, a Finite Element Analysis (FEA) was performed. A macroscopic analysis of the specimens’ structure and microhardness tests before and after compression tests were also carried out.