Thermo-Electro-Mechanical Properties of Interpenetrating Phase Composites with Periodic Architectured Reinforcements

Abstract

In this study, the multifunctional properties (thermal, electric, and mechanical properties) of a new type of three-dimensional (3D) periodic architectured interpenetrating phase composites (IPCs) are investigated computationally. These new IPCs are created using two interconnected, bicontinuous, and intertwined material phases. The inner reinforcing phase takes the shape of the 3D morphology (architecture) of the mathematically-known triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMS). The TPMS reinforcements are 3D solid sheet networks with a certain volume fraction and architecture. The interconnectivity of the proposed TPMS-based IPCs provide a novel way of creating multifunctional composites with superior properties. In this study, the effect of six well-known TPMS architectures of various volume fractions on the thermal/electrical conductivity and Young's modulus of the IPCs is investigated using the finite element analysis of a unit cell with periodic boundary conditions. The contrast effect (high and low) between the conductivities and Young's modulus of the two phases is also investigated. The calculated effective properties are compared with some analytical bounds. The proposed TPMS-IPCs possess effective properties close to the upper Hashin-Shtrikman bounds. It is also shown that the effect of TPMS architecture decreases as the contrast decreases. Finally, the manufacturability of these new TPMS-IPCs is demonstrated through using 3D printing technology.

Insights into acoustic properties of seven selected triply periodic minimal surfaces-based structures: A numerical study

“…19,20 Most previous studies are mainly limited to the observation of their acoustic/elastic properties. Particularly, with the advanced additive manufacturing (also known as 3D printing) technique, 21 TPMS structures have been utilized in many fields, such as photonic, 22 acoustic, 23 elastic, 24 mechanical, 8 and heat/electrical transport 25 applications. Therefore, further insights into the TPMS structures’ use as acoustic metamaterials are essential.…”

Representative volume element model of triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMS)-based electrostrictive composites for numerical evaluation of effective properties

“…Moreover, researchers have used mathematical equations to produce a different type of TPMS-based unit cell for functional grading and hybridization [32][33][34][35]. Many researchers have determined the mechanical, electrical, and thermal attributes of TPMS-based structures [36][37][38][39][40]. Moreover, Abueidda et al [36,41,42] reported that these structures exhibit better properties as compared to their analog structure due to their better interconnectivity.…”

Nature‐Inspired Lightweight Cellular Co‐Continuous Composites with Architected Periodic Gyroidal Structures

“…Unlike discrete composites reinforced with dispersed (discontinuous) particles or fibers, the exhibited interconnectivity of co‐continuous composites implies that if one phase is eradicated, the remaining phases would still form perpetual, self‐supporting structures. This structural co‐continuity promotes enhanced, thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties …”