Crush behaviour of open cellular lattice structures manufactured using selective laser melting

Abstract

Open cellular lattice structures, made out of stainless steel, have been manufactured using the micro fabrication procedure of selective laser melting. A single geometry has been considered, namely vertical struts with cross bracing with a cell geometry of a cubic form. Blocks of this material, with dimensions of 25 mm cube, have been tested under compression and shear loading. Three cell sizes have been considered, namely 1.25, 2.5 and 5 mm. Uniaxial compression and shear force versus displacement and failure characteristics of these materials are discussed, In this way, the micro mechanical characteristics of the material and manufacturing parameters are related to bulk properties.