Investigations on Energy Absorption Behavior of Laser Powder Bed Fusion-Based 2D and 3D Multi-layered Sandwich Lattice Structures

Abstract

This research provides valuable insights into the design, development, and analysis of the quasi-static energy absorption properties of dimensionally distinct 2D and 3D sandwich lattice structures. The Laser Powder Bed Fusion-based SS316L 2D Honeycomb, 3D Octet, and 3D TPMS Gyroid were designed and manufactured to study their mechanical behavior under quasi-static loading in the light of dimensional aspects. The energy absorption of the 3D TPMS Gyroid structure is found to be the highest at 51.73 MJ/m³ with a uniform collapse mode. However, the 2D structure performed better in elastic and densification regions with a superior elastic modulus and the highest densification strain of 0.68 while undergoing a unique unit cell-based deformation. The results show that while the 3D structures are the best energy absorbers; the 2D structures are preferred when stiffness is required in addition to energy absorption, providing practical implications for the design and application of these structures.