Investigating infill density and pattern effects in additive manufacturing by characterizing metamaterials along the strain-gradient theory

Abstract

Infill density used in additive manufacturing incorporates a structural response change in the structure. Infill pattern creates a microstructure that affects the mechanical performance as well. Whenever the length ratio of microstructure to geometry converges to one, metamaterials emerge and the strain-gradient theory is an adequate model to predict metamaterials response. All metamaterial parameters are determined by an asymptotic homogenization, and we investigate the effects of infill density and pattern on these parameters. In order to illuminate the role of infill characteristics on the strain-gradient parameters, an in-depth numerical investigation is presented for one, widely used case in three-dimensional (3D) printers, rectangular grid.