Design and characterization of breathable 3D printed textiles with flexible lattice structures

Abstract

3D printed lattice structures offer a promising solution for the textile and fashion industries due to their advantage of reducing material consumption while maintaining mechanical strength and versatility. There were researches have studied on resistance capacity and energy absorption efficiency. The investigation and optimization of 3D printed lattice structures for wearable materials are largely unexplored. This study addresses this gap by developing three distinct lattice structures: diamond, dodecahedron, and sinusquare structures using Low Force Stereolithography. The mechanical properties and wearable performance of the 3D printed lattice structure have been evaluated in tensile, compression, bending, thermal, and permeability tests, as well as finite element analyses. The results indicate that all three structures withstand significant deformations, showcasing their durability and breathability for garment use. The printed diamond structures exhibit excellent flexibility and breathability, with a breaking load of ∼290.33 N and extension of ∼188.65 mm at thickness 6 mm. Dodecahedron structures are the stiffest, with bending rigidity increasing from 2.4544 μN·m to 22.8661 μN·m due to its thickness increased. Sinusquare structures balance tensile strength (∼268.12 N at 6 mm) and moderate extension (∼94.98 mm), making them suitable for various garment applications. These findings offer insights into the mechanical properties and suitability of lattice structures for wearable materials. Thus, the 3D printed lattice structures show promising applications as a practical design way for textiles.