The Stereolithography 3D Printing of a Gyroid TPMS Sheet: Manufacturing, Properties and Applications

Triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) represents a class of porous architectures characterized with continuous curved surface and periodic repetition, demonstrating significant potential for industrial applications requiring high specific surface area. In this work, a Gyroid-type TPMS sheet has been designed and manufactured with acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) resin via stereolithography 3D printing. The printed surface microstructure was characterized by scanning electron microscopy to evaluate the printing accuracy. Both the quasi-static compression test as well as the numeric finite element analysis were performed to study the mechanical response. Compared with the strut-based Re-entrant lattice, the Gyroid TPMS demonstrated a superior combination of high load-bearing and energy-absorption properties. Comparative analysis of compressive load-displacement curves and cracking behaviors elucidated the distinct deformation mechanisms between TPMS and Re-entrant structures. To validate the practical applicability, a prototype helmet liner with Gyroid TPMS structure was successfully manufactured with ABS resin using the studied printing procedures. These findings substantiate the promising implementation potential of TPMS structures in lightweight engineering and impact protection systems requiring synergistic mechanical performance.