Compressive behaviour of Neovius Triply Periodic Minimal Surface cellular structure manufactured by fused deposition modelling

Abstract

Compressive behaviour of Triply Periodic Minimal Surface type Neovius structure is investigated. The structure was manufactured by Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) Additive Manufacturing technology in ABS material. The Neovius cellular structures with four different unit cell sizes of 8, 10, 12 and 14 mm with the volume fractions of 15%, 20% and 25% were investigated. Morphology of the samples was analysed through optical microscopy, and the pore and strut sizes were compared for the designed model and FDM samples. During the compression test, the Neovius structure showed the oscillating behaviour of the stress–strain curve with the larger unit cell size showing fracture across multiple layers in different orientations. Optical analysis of the struts after the compression tests showed that struts are the weakest link with the highest stressed area and the fracture was seen initiated at the struts. Both compressive modulus and strength increased with the increase in volume fraction.