Researchers have engineered a series of additively manufactured triply-twinned Body‐Centred Cubic (BCCT) lattices that distribute stress more efficiently, enabling lighter structures with significantly improved stiffness, strength, and damage-tolerance. This lattice achieves up to three-fold improved performance compared to conventional lattice architecture. They have studied its structure and how to remove defects using the ESRF’s extremely brilliant source. The results are out in Advanced Materials.
Triply-twinned architected lattices are engineered materials made of repeating 3D structures arranged in a precise pattern. ‘Triply-twinned’ refers to three reflection planes in each unit about which sub-structures are mirrored, giving the structure extra strength under compression. In general, they are made from polymers or metals, depending on the application.
Currently, scientists are exploring them for potential applications where low weight is critical, such as in aerospace, energy and advanced engineering. However, they are not yet common in commercial products, with the main limitation being the manufacturing process.
“We are excited to translate the concept of twinning, normally observed at the atomic scale, into centimetre‑scale architected materials using additive manufacturing. This approach allows us to precisely tailor stiffness, strength, and damage tolerance, opening new opportunities for applications ranging from biomedical implants and heat exchangers to energy‑absorbing components,” says Chu Lun Alex Leung, professor at University College London (UCL) and corresponding author of the publication.
Through the EPSRC International Centre to Centre collaboration: Manufacturing by Design, Leung (work package lead) and his team from UCL, together with scientists at the University of Sheffield and the ESRF have designed, engineered, characterised, and analysed a series of additively manufactured lattices that have shown a successful increase in the stiffness (+380%) and strength (+279%) of materials.
Read more on the ESRF website