Effect of radial gradient on the mechanical behaviour of additively manufactured Ti-6Al-4V Gyroid lattices

Information from the abstract

ABSTRACT Functionally graded lattices, especially those designed with triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMS) lattices, offer significant potential for bone implant applications. For optimal implant integration, these lattices must match the elastic modulus of natural bone, and the grading direction is also an essential parameter for eliminating stress shielding. However, most graded lattices fail to assess the direction of radial grading on the quasi-static mechanical behaviour. This study is uniquely designed and demonstrates the impact of grading direction (radial), a parameter previously unreported for three directional radial-gradient TPMS lattices. A homogenization-based numerical approach was employed to assess the effective elastic properties, while a semi-empirical modified Gibson-Ashby correlation was developed for the investigated radial-gradient Gyroid lattices. The results indicated that radial grading direction significantly influences deformation behaviour, elastic modulus and energy absorption. Moreover, the deformation patterns and the failure features of the lattices were highly dependent on the radial gradients. More importantly, by appropriate design, the graded gyroid lattice could achieve an elastic modulus within the range of that of the trabecular bones from both the femoral head and proximal tibia. The homogenization analysis demonstrated that grading direction governs the effective elastic response and anisotropy of the lattices. This study presents a novel approach that demonstrates how radial-gradient lattices affect mechanical properties, offering a design framework for load-bearing porous implant applications.

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Related topics: Cellular and Composite Structures · Additive Manufacturing Materials and Processes · Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing Technologies