Mechanical performance of 3D printed SS 316L TPMS lattices: A computational and experimental approach

Lightweight structures are critical in engineering applications where minimizing mass without compromising mechanical integrity is essential. This is particularly important in aerospace, automotive, and unmanned aerial vehicles, where energy absorption and controlled failure under impact are vital. Triply Periodic Minimal Surface lattices offer high structural efficiency among various geometries due to their continuous surfaces and uniform stress distribution. This study investigates the mechanical performance of 3D printed TPMS lattices made from Stainless Steel 316L (SS 316L), using diamond, gyroid, primitive, and IWP geometries. Samples with 30%, 40%, and 50% volume fractions were fabricated via Selective Laser Melting and evaluated under uniaxial compression. Finite Element Analysis was conducted in ABAQUS using the Johnson-Cook material model to simulate deformation and stress response. Compression testing was performed using a Universal Testing Machine with Digital Image Correlation, supported by X-ray Computed Tomography and Archimedes density measurements. The influence of post-processing heat treatment was also examined, which resulted in improved energy absorption but a reduction in overall stiffness. A strong correlation between simulation and experimental results confirmed the model’s validity.