Evaluation of the quasi-static compression properties of 3D printed polymer composite lattice structures

3D-printed triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) lattice structures can be tailored for desired mechanical properties. Previous studies focused on structures 3D-printed using conventional polymers. The present investigation evaluates and compares the compressive behaviour of Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and short carbon fibre-reinforced ABS (CF–ABS) TPMS lattices. Using fused filament fabrication, topologies like Schwarz Diamond, Schoen Gyroid, and Primitive tubular structures were developed and subjected to quasi-static axial compression experiments. Metrics such as compressive modulus, peak stress, plateau stress, specific energy absorption (SEA), and undulations in load-carrying capacity (ULCC) are evaluated. Results revealed that the Diamond lattices had the peak modulus and stress; furthermore, the ABS structures outperformed the CF-ABS by 5% and 7.8%, respectively. In CF-ABS lattices, plateau stress increased by 6.1%, 25.1%, and 10.5%, and SEA by 11.3%, 25.9%, and 10.6%, for Diamond, Gyroid, and Primitive, respectively. Additionally, CF-ABS lattices moderated ULCC, resulting in reductions of 21.6%, 43.3%, and 22.3% thereby enhancing load-carrying capacity. Diamond and Gyroid lattices failed through stretch-dominated failure, whereas Primitive structures failed through bending-dominated failure. Findings of this investigation confirm significant enhancements in energy absorption and plateau stress while limiting load-bearing fluctuations in composite lattices, which may help develop lightweight, high-performance composite structures.