Mechanical properties comparison of strut-based and triply periodic minimal surface lattice structures produced by electron beam melting

The aim of this study is to make a comparative assessment of the compression and tensile behavior of two strut-based (body-centered cubic, BCC, and face-centered cubic, FCC) and three triply periodic minimum surfaces (gyroid, primitive, diamond) lattice structures produced by electron beam melting method from Ti6Al4V powder material. Compression and tension tests were performed and compared with finite element analysis results. Moreover, scanning electron microscope analysis for dimensional variation and optical microscope analysis for microstructural changes were performed. Gibson–Ashby relations and related coefficients were also calculated. Results showed that gyroid specimens showed the highest (21.7%) and diamond specimens showed the lowest dimensional error (6.5%). Tensile test results showed that the highest and the lowest ultimate tensile strength were observed on diamond (422 MPa) and BCC (192 MPa) specimens, respectively. Compression test results showed that the diamond had the highest yield stress (427 MPa) and first maximum compressive strength (526 MPa). The highest and the lowest energy absorption capabilities were observed on gyroid (180.2 MJ/m3) and BCC (84.2 MJ/m3) topologies, respectively.