Investigation and Statistical Modeling of the Mechanical Properties of Additively Manufactured Lattices

This paper describes the background, test methodology, and experimental results associated with the testing and analysis of quasi-static compression testing of additively manufactured open-cell lattice structures. The study aims to examine the effect of lattice topology, cell size, cell density, and surface thickness on the mechanical properties of lattice structures. Three lattice designs were chosen, the Diamond, I-WP, and Primitive Triply Periodic Minimal Surfaces (TPMSs). Uniaxial compression tests were conducted for every combination of the three lattice designs, three cell sizes, three cell densities, and three surface thicknesses. In order to perform an efficient experiment and gain the most information possible, a four-factor statistical experimental design was planned and followed throughout testing. A full four-factor statistical model was produced, along with a reduced interactions model, separating the model by the significance of each factor and interaction terms. The impact of each factor was analyzed and interpreted from the resulting data, and then conclusions were made about the effects of the design parameters on the resultant mechanical performance.