Mechanical Response of Triply Periodic Minimal Surface Structures Manufactured by Selective Laser Melting with Composite Materials

Abstract

It is of significance but remains a pivotal challenge to simultaneously enhance the strength and lightweight levels of porous structures. We provide an innovative strategy to improve the strength of porous structures with unchanged lightweight levels by applied composite materials. Selective laser melting (SLM) is convenient for integral forming of materials and structures. Hence, in this study, the research about the mechanical response of triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMS) porous structures with 316L and composites fabricated by SLM was conducted. The compression test and finite element method (FEM) were used to characterize mechanical properties. The composite structures exhibit enhanced elastic modulus, yield strength, unvaried lightweight level and refined grain microstructure, which are difficult to realize for porous structures made by pure 316L materials. The elastic modulus, yield strength, plateau stress and energy absorption of composites were 3187.50, 67.73, 15.24 and 17.09 MJ/m3, respectively.