Fabrication and testing of non-polymeric microlattices

Abstract

With the rising popularity in 3D printing, the production of new prototype become very convenient. However, the fabrication of metal and ceramic using 3D printing techniques is very expensive and generates a lot of material wastage. This project introduced two techniques to develop a cost-efficient method to fabricate non-polymeric microlattices with good structural properties. The detail setup and fabricate process of both technique, selective heat sintering and hollow truss lattice will be discussed. Afterwards, specimens from both techniques will undergo quasistatic compression test. The Young’s modulus, yield stress and energy absorption will be analysis and compare with other ceramic lattices. It has been observed that the selective heat sintering technique is much simple and faster to fabricate than the hollow truss lattice. However, it lacks the higher resolution and parameter control in the second techniques hollow truss lattice. Overall, the selective heat sintering shows better potential in the development of a cost-efficient way to fabricate metal-ceramic composites.