Process-structure-property relationships of additively manufactured lattice structures based on triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMS)

Lattices based on triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMS) are attracting increasing interest due to their
excellent structure-property relationships. However, the potential can only be exploited if their structural
integrity is ensured. This requires a fundamental understanding of the impact of imperfections that arise
during additive manufacturing. Therefore, in the present study, the structure-property relationships of TPMS
lattices, including their imperfect morphologies, are investigated experimentally and numerically. Specifically,
the focus is on biomimetic TPMS lattices fabricated by laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) from the biocompatible
alloy Ti-42Nb. Based on computed tomography analyses, typical LPBF-imperfections are identified before a
modeling procedure is developed for reconstruction of the as-built morphology. Finally, compression tests are
performed and compared with the accompanying finite element studies. This work highlights the central
importance of process-related imperfections for the structure-property relationships of LPBF-processed TPMS
lattices and provides a numerical tool to capture their effects. Given high simulation accuracy and flexibility,
this approach might become a key factor in the future design process of additively manufactured structures.