QUASI-STATIC AND DYNAMIC CRUSH OF ELECTROPLATED LATTICE STRUCTURES

Lattice structures can be effective energy absorbers due to their high stiffness and low density. Literature supports the use of metallic lattices for energy absorption applications, however, these metallic structures can be challenging to manufacture. Additive manufacturing (AM) can be used to manufacture these structures, however metallic AM is capital intensive, and a less expensive alternative would be desirable. Metallic AM has challenges including a required inert environment and porosity. These concerns can be alleviated by using polymer additive manufacturing, however, these polymeric parts are unable to achieve the stiffness of the metallic lattice. In this study, a low-cost 3D polymer printing method, stereolithography (SLA), is combined with a conventional electroplating process to create a metallic-plastic composite ordered lattice. SLA parts have a smooth surface, so that electroplating can be applied uniformly. The energy absorption measured during quasi-static and dynamic crush of these lattices is studied to determine how these lattices, manufactured at reduced cost, can provide the desired energy absorption characteristics. This study confirms that electroplating SLA lattices can increase both the crush strain range and the mean crush stress of these samples, resulting in stronger parts with increased energy absorption.