Investigation on Elastic Constants, Isotropy, and Energy Absorption Capability of Topology Optimized Lattice Structures

Architectured cellular structures have garnered significant attention due to their exceptional mechanical properties achieved with the advent of additive manufacturing. This study investigates the design and optimization of lattice structures using topology optimization (TO) for diverse loading conditions, aiming to create robust lattices with superior mechanical performance and energy absorption capability. The effect of cell topology and relative densities on mechanical properties is analyzed numerically and validated experimentally. The TO is successfully implemented to design lattice structures to maximize the different elastic modulus and isotropy. For instance, the FC–N type lattice structure at a relative density of 0.45 demonstrates a Young's modulus of 1079.1 MPa, approaching the theoretical limit provided by the Hashin–Shtrikman upper bound. Several TO lattice structures, such as the FC lattice structures of S and N types at a relative density of 0.15, exhibited highly isotropic behavior with a Zener anisotropy index of ≈1. These structures show potential for lightweight aerospace and automotive components due to superior elastic constants and for biomedical scaffolds or satellite parts requiring isotropic mechanical behavior. This study establishes a methodology for creating application‐specific lattice materials, bridging computational optimization with practical manufacturing to address diverse engineering needs.