Superior energy absorption of continuously graded microlattices by electron beam additive manufacturing. Issue 1 (2nd January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Choy, Sing Ying; Sun, Chen-Nan; Sin, Wai Jack; Leong, Kah Fai; Su, Pei-Chen; Wei, Jun; Wang, Pan
• Is Part Of: Virtual and physical prototyping. Volume 16:Issue 1(2021)
• Page Start: 14
• Page End: 28
• Publication Date: 2021-01-02
• Subjects: Functionally graded material -- additive manufacturing -- electron beam melting -- lattice structure -- compressive properties; Rapid prototyping -- Periodicals; Virtual computer systems -- Periodicals; Prototypes, Engineering -- Periodicals; Production engineering -- Periodicals; Design, Industrial -- Periodicals; 670.285
• DOI: 10.1080/17452759.2020.1868656
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1745-2759

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Electron beam melted (EBM) Ti-6Al-4V functionally graded materials (FGM) with continuously graded densities are investigated for dimensional accuracy, compressive properties, fractography and build direction effect in comparison to uniform density counterparts of the same volume. It is found that FGMs exhibit progressive layer-by-layer deformation mode regardless of unit cell designs and build direction. This deformation behavior is highly favourable for uni-directional impact absorption applications compared to uniform density counterparts with random or diagonal failure. Overall, the EBM-built FGM exhibits superior energy absorption than counterparts of uniform density. Significant improvement in the quasi-elastic gradient and energy absorption is obtained by changing the build direction for specific designs. Compared with other FGM or uniform density lattice structures from the literature, the energy absorption of lattice structures with lower relative density could outperform those with higher relative density by changing the unit cell design or density profile.