Energy absorption of AlSi10Mg origami cellular structures fabricated via laser powder bed fusion

We experimentally study the energy absorption of metallic origami cellular structures additively manufactured from an AlSi10Mg alloy. We fabricate AlSi10Mg origami using the laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) process. Since the as-fabricated AlSi10Mg has limited elongation at break, we systematically examine the heat treatment conditions and achieve the large deformation (i.e., wide folding range) of AlSi10Mg origami without fracture of origami creases. In addition, we use a drop tower impact system to demonstrate the effectiveness of AlSi10Mg origami’s folding behavior for impact energy absorption. Based on our experimental results, AlSi10Mg origami cellular structures could be exploited to develop a highly efficient lightweight impact absorber. Graphical abstract