Stiffness and energy absorption of additive manufactured hybrid lattice structures

ABSTRACT

Lattice structures have been widely used for lightweight structures and energy absorption applications, yet there remain persistent challenges to develop high-performance lattice structures. Existing lattice structures are mainly made by uniform or graded units, some work has been focused on the hybrid lattice structures that combine two or more different units. In this work, two hybrid lattice block structures, named GO_embeded and GO_enfolded, were designed based on two kinds of basic unit cells (Grid unit and Octet unit) and then additively manufactured, and their performances of stiffness and energy absorption were studied. The results show that the stiffness of the hybrid lattice blocks could be comparable to the uniform lattice blocks when they have the same relative density. However, the hybrid lattice blocks have better energy absorption capability relative to uniform lattice blocks. This study provides a basis for the performance of hybrid lightweight structure.

KEYWORDS:

• Lattice structure
• hybrid lattice
• lightweight
• metal

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported and funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [grant Nos. 51922093, 51890882], the National Key Research and Development Program of China [grant No. 2018YFB2000704].

Notes on contributors

Junhui Zhang

Junhui Zhang is a professor at the State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems of Zhejiang University in China. His current research focuses on the field of fluid power, including high power-to-mass ratio of hydraulic system, intelligent fluid power components and hydraulic robot.

Hsinpu Huang

Hsinpu Huang is a Master student from the State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, Zhejiang University, China.

Gan Liu

Gan Liu is a Ph.D. student from the Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Hong Kong, China.

Huaizhi Zong

Huaizhi Zong is a Ph.D. student from the State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, Zhejiang University, China.

Chao Zhang

Chao Zhang received his Ph.D. degree (2019) in mechanical engineering from the University of Lyon in France. He joined Zhejiang University, as an associate professor in 2019. His current research focuses on the field of fluid power, including optimal design and 3D printing of fluid power components, fluid power measurement and intelligent control, fluid-powered robotics and machines.