The Impact of the Geometry of Cellular Structure Made of Glass-Filled Polyamide on the Energy-Absorbing Properties of Design Elements

Abstract

Energy-absorbing properties of cellular materials with D, G, IWP*, N, P, Q, PJ triply minimal energy surface geometries were investigated. Materials were made of glass-filled polyamide by selective laser sintering. Mechanical properties of cellular structures were determined depending on the geometry: the highest specific compressive strength σsp.max >8 MPa∙cm3/g is possessed by samples with the geometry IWP* and PJ; the highest specific energy absorption Asp = 14.5 MJ/m3 is in the sample with the geometry N. A mass-strength criterion for cellular structures is proposed. The maximal values of mass-strength criterion are from samples with geometries N, IWP* and PJ; 4.16 MPa2/g, 3.51 MPa2/g, and 2.88 MPa2/g. The adequacy of applying the Gibson-Ashby equation for fabricated cellular materials with triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMS) geometry has been proven.