Manufacture and Mechanical Properties of Batwing‐Type Al Cellular Metamaterials by Selective Laser Melting

Abstract

Designing metallic cellular structures with triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMS) is a novel approach for preparing multifunctional and lightweight metamaterials. TPMS‐structured Batwing Al cellular metamaterials are fabricated using selective laser melting. The mechanical performance, failure/deformation modes, and energy absorption capacity of the metamaterials are investigated. It is demonstrated in experimental results that the unit cell structure has a significant influence on the mechanical properties of the metamaterials, and that the sample with large wall thickness exhibits excellent mechanical properties and energy absorption capacity. Furthermore, the Gibson–Ashby equation is developed to estimate the mechanical properties of the Batwing‐type Al cellular metamaterials. Herein, a theoretical foundation is provided in these findings for the engineering application of phase‐pure Al, which is typically unsuitable as a structural material due to its low yield strength.