Machines. Technologies. Materials.
Vol. 20 (2026), Issue 7, pg(s) 254-257

TECHNOLOGIES

Effect of density gradient on energy absorption properties of additively manufactured tpms-d infill pattern via material extrusion method

  • 1 M.F.K. Machine Milling Mold Ltd. Company, Bursa, Türkiye
  • 2 Department of Motor Vehicles and Transport Technologies, Yenişehir İbrahim Orhan Vocational School, Bursa Uludağ University, Bursa, Türkiye

Abstract

As additive manufacturing (AM) technologies continue to gain traction across various industries, researchers have increasingly focused on optimizing the mechanical performance of polymer parts produced through material extrusion (MEX). Among the manufacturing parameters involved, infill pattern and density stand out as key factors that directly determine the mechanical behavior and energy absorption capacity of printed components. This study examines how different infill density gradients influence energy absorption, focusing specifically on samples built from polylactic acid (PLA) filament using a Triply Periodic Minimal Surface (TPMS-D) diamond pattern. TPMS-based infill patterns were selected for this study due to their potential to offer superior mechanical properties and energy absorption capacity compared to conventional two-dimensional infill patterns. The samples were subjected to quasi-static compression tests, from which stress-strain curves were obtained and energy absorption properties were calculated. The findings of this study are expected to inform the optimization of infill pattern and density parameters for energy-absorption applications, while also offering practical guidance for designing lightweight structures capable of withstanding high-energy impacts.

Keywords

References

  1. Abdulazizov M and Pervaiz S 2025 Comprehensive Analysis of the Compressive Behavior of Fischer-Koch-S, F-Rd, and Neovius TPMS Cellular Structures in 3d-Printed PLA Specimens Journal of Elastomers & Plastics
  2. Ahmad A, Belluomo L, Bici M and Campana F 2023 Bird’s Eye View on Lattice Structures: Design Issues and Applications for Best Practices in Mechanical Design Metals 13 1666
  3. Hossain M S, Hossain Md M and Nilufar S 2025 An Overview of Additive Manufacturing of Triply Periodic Minimal Surface (TPMS) Structures Polymers 17 3307
  4. Qin D, Sang L, Lai S and Zhao Y 2022 Compression Performance and Deformation Behavior of 3d-Printed PLA-Based Lattice Structures Polymers 14 1062
  5. Weber D and Srinivas Sundarram S 2023 3D ‐printed and foamed triply periodic minimal surface lattice structures for energy absorption applications Polymer Engineering & Sci 63 1133–45
  6. Öztürk F H, Temiz A and Pehlivan F 2026 Numerical and Experimental Investigation of Failure Mechanisms in Additively Manufactured Multimaterial Triply Periodic Minimal Surface Polymer Cellular Materials Advanced Engineering Materials 28
  7. Sankineni R and Ravi Kumar Y 2022 Evaluation of energy absorption capabilities and mechanical properties in FDM printed PLA TPMS structures Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part C: Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science 236 3558–77
  8. Distefano F and Epasto G 2024 Effect of density grading on the mechanical behaviour of advanced functionally graded lattice structures Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials 153 106477
  9. Garrido Silva B, Alves F, Sardinha M, Reis L, Leite M, Deus A M and Vaz M F 2022 Functionally graded cellular cores of sandwich panels fabricated by additive manufacturing Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part L: Journal of Materials: Design and Applications 236 1814–28

Article full text

Download PDF