Investigation of Cell Size Influence on the Crushing Behavior of Gyroid Lattices Fabricated Via Fdm

Abstract

This study investigates the influence of cell size on the mechanical performance and damage mechanisms of gyroid structures fabricated via Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) using PLA. Gyroid structures, a type of triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS), are recognized for their excellent energy absorption and lightweight characteristics, making them promising for various engineering applications. Four sets of gyroid structures with cell sizes of 5, 10, 20, and 30 mm were produced and subjected to quasi-static compression tests to evaluate their force-displacement behavior, total energy absorption, and specific energy absorption. The experimental results revealed that structures with smaller cell sizes (5 and 10 mm) exhibited more uniform deformation and controlled collapse, resulting in higher energy absorption and more efficient stress distribution. In contrast, larger cell sizes (20 and 30 mm) demonstrated a significant decline in both total and specific energy absorption. Moreover, the damage analysis indicated that as the cell size increased, failure patterns became increasingly irregular, with a higher fracture ratio observed in larger cell structures. These findings suggest that cell size plays a crucial role in determining the overall performance and reliability of gyroid TPMS structures under quasi-static loading conditions. The insights from this study provide valuable guidelines for the design and optimization of TPMS based components, especially in applications where energy absorption and impact resistance are critical.