Static and dynamic comprehensive response of additively manufactured discrete patterns of Ti6Al4V

Additively manufactured (AM) discrete patterns made of Ti6Al4V offer potential energy absorption for engineering applications, including blast and impact protection systems, aircraft structure, automotive, and medical applications. In this study, we compared three different cylindrical printed patterns fabricated by selective laser melting (SLM), patterns sharing similar cross section and mass, in order to identify the "optimal" design of such structures for energy absorption purposes. The specimens consist of one columnar and two tubular patterns. The columnar pattern (8-Column) was constructed out of uniformly distributed columns. The first tubular pattern (Tube I) was constructed with the same outer diameter and tapered inner profile. The second tubular pattern (Tube II) had adjusted internal and external diameters. Quasi-static and impact (dynamic) load tests were performed to investigate the strain rate dependency, compressive response and failure mode of each pattern, including a comparison with a printed solid reference cylinder. Numerical simulations were carried out to complement the experimental work and to develop a generic numerical tool for future structural optimization applications. The results show that the geometry has a strong influence on its overall compressive performance, including energy absorption. The most effective of the patterns investigated was Tube I for both quasi-static and dynamic regimes.