Translating Twin‐Boundary Strengthening into Lattice Metamaterials for Synergistically Enhanced Strength and Energy Absorption
Lattice metamaterials attract interest due to tailorable mechanical responses from engineered microstructures, but conventional designs face a strength versus stable energy absorption tradeoff. Inspired by deformation twinning, this study designs Square‐Twins (ST) and Rhomb‐Twins (RT) lattices by coupling twin‐like interfaces with deliberate unit‐cell orientation to address this. Quasistatic compression and drop‐weight impact tests, plus finite‐element simulations, examine their compressive properties and low‐velocity impact characteristics. Compared to a baseline square lattice, the twin‐constrained lattices suppress local buckling and stress concentration through cooperative collapse and crack bifurcation or blunting. Quasistatically, the ST lattice achieves simultaneous increases of 48.8% in specific energy absorption (SEA), 52.8% in specific plateau stress, 43.4% in specific modulus, and 59.5% in compression force efficiency (CFE) compared to the baseline. Meanwhile, the RT lattice provides a smoother stress transition and highly stable energy dissipation. Under impact, ST maintains excellent load capacity and energy dissipation, with specific strength increased by 34.5%, while RT reduces initial stress fluctuations for smoother stress growth. ST shows moderated rate sensitivity, and RT is intermediate. These results provide a mechanism‐guided route to balance strength and stability in lightweight crash‐protective lattice components across strain rates.
Authors
- Hao Liang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1860-4809)
- Ye Yuan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4197-797X)
- Fu Zhao
- Yongliang Liu
- Aixu Liu
- Chunmei Li
- Jinlong Yan
- Peng Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3343-7933)
- Rui Xu
- Yifan Wang
Institutions
- Beijing Institute of Technology (CN)
- Donghua University (CN)
- Dalian University of Technology (CN)
- Cube Technology (United States) (US)
- State Key Laboratory of Vehicle NVH and Safety Technology (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Advanced Engineering Materials
- Published
- 2026-04-30
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/adem.70901
- Primary Topic
- Cellular and Composite Structures
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- National Natural Science Foundation of China
- China Postdoctoral Science Foundation
- Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities