[en] Lattice structures produced by additive manufacturing are increasingly used in lightweight, load-bearing applications, yet their mechanical performance is strongly influenced by geometry, process parameters, and boundary conditions. This study investigates the compressive behavior of body-centered cubic (BCC) 316L stainless steel lattices fabricated by laser powder bed fusion (LPBF). Four relative densities (20%, 40%, 60%, and 80%) were achieved by varying the strut diameter, and specimens were built in both vertical and horizontal orientations. Quasi-static compression tests characterized the elastic modulus, yield strength, energy absorption, and mean force, while finite element simulations reproduced the deformation and hardening behavior. The experimental results showed a direct correlation between density and mechanical properties, with vertically built specimens performing slightly better due to reduced processing defects. Simulations quantified the effect of strut-joint rounding and the need for multi-cell configurations to closely match the experimental curves. Regardless of the boundary conditions, for a density of 20%, simulating a single cell underestimated stiffness because of unconstrained strut buckling. For higher densities and thicker struts, this sensitivity to boundary conditions strongly decreased, indicating the possibility of using a single cell for shorter simulations-a point rarely discussed in the literature. Both experiments and simulations confirmed Gibson-Ashby scaling for elastic modulus and yield strength, while the tangent modulus was highly sensitive to boundary conditions. The combined experimental and numerical results provide a framework for the reliable modeling and design of metallic lattices for energy absorption, biomedical, and lightweight structural applications.
Disciplines :
Materials science & engineering
Author, co-author :
Ríos, Ignacio; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4811230, Chile ; Master Program in Engineering Sciences, Faculty of Engineering, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4811230, Chile
Duchene, Laurent ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département ArGEnCo > Analyse multi-échelles dans le domaine des matériaux et structures du génie civil
Habraken, Anne ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département ArGEnCo > Département Argenco : Secteur MS2F ; F.R.S.-FNRS, Rue d'Egmont 5, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium
Oñate, Angelo ; Department of Materials Engineering (DIMAT), Faculty of Engineering, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción 4070138, Chile
Valle, Rodrigo ; Construction Multidisciplinary Research Group, Facultad de Arquitectura, Construcción y Medio Ambiente, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Talca 3460000, Chile
Mertens, Anne ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Aérospatiale et Mécanique (A&M)
Garrido, César ; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universidad del Bío-Bío, Concepción 4081112, Chile
Pincheira, Gonzalo ; Department of Industrial Technologies, Faculty of Engineering, University of Talca, Camino a Los Niches Km 1, Curicó 3344158, Chile
Tuninetti, Victor ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département ArGEnCo ; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4811230, Chile
Language :
English
Title :
Compressive Behavior of 316L Stainless Steel Lattice Structures for Additive Manufacturing: Experimental Characterization and Numerical Modeling.
Publication date :
10 October 2025
Journal title :
Biomimetics
eISSN :
2313-7673
Publisher :
Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), Switzerland
ANID - Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo ULiège - University of Liège F.R.S.-FNRS - Fund for Scientific Research UFRO - Universidad de La Frontera
Funding text :
This research was funded by ANID Fondecyt Regular 1250102, and by a bilateral project between the University of Li\u00E8ge and the Universidad de La Frontera, supported by WBI RI02 and approved by AGCID (DIE23-0001). As research director of F.R.S.-FNRS, A.M. Habraken thanks the Fund for Scientific Research for its financial support.
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