Metallic micro lattices are a new class of synthetic porous material that combines useful mechanical properties of metals with optimized geometric structures. They consist of micro-scale struts arranged in different lattice patterns and can be manufactured using additive manufacturing techniques. Metallic micro lattices provide greater stiffness and strength compared to solid metals due to their low density, ability to absorb impact energy, and potential to recover their original shape. They have applications in aerospace, automotive, and other structural engineering fields due to their mechanical properties and lightweight nature.

1. METALLIC
MICROLATTICE
S h a r a t h C M
B E N G A L U R U

2. An overview on the structure, manufacturing
and applications of metallic micro lattices
Presentation Outline
 Introduction to metallic micro lattices
 Manufacturing methods
 Mechanical properties
 Modelling of micro lattices
 Structural applications

3. REFERENCES;
 Wikipedia,
 Institute of mechanical engineers article 28 Feb. 2013,
 Ultra light “Metallic micro lattices”, November 18Chemistr; in issue
science article,
 Some of patented articles, assigned to HRL laboratories,
 Chemistry world Article dated 21, November, 2011,
 American BBC, CNET news reports (Boeing initiation) and
 Some of journals regarding carbon foams, aerospace materials etc..

4. FOLDED, HONEY COMB, METAL FOAM, MICRO LATTICE STRUCTURE
Lattice structure at micro scale
• Provides greater stiffness and strength-to-weight ratio
• Absorb greater amount of energy
• Return to the original state after being compressed
• Better mechanical properties can be expected for having low
connectivity of the joints due to a small number of cell walls or
struts linked in respective edges or vertices
• Ordered cellular structures are extremely sensitive to strain
localization and accumulate high amounts of localized damage in
certain orientation

6. ULTRA-LIGHT
METAL FOAM
A block of MML being supported
by dandelion seed head
(ρ=0.9 mg/cm3)
Metallic micro lattice is a
new class of
material(synthetic porous)
that combines useful
mechanical properties of
metals with smart
geometrical orientations.

7. o Metallic micro lattices consist of micro struts stacked in
different arrangements,
o Micro lattice was inspired by the structure of human
bones
o Made up of interconnected hollow tubes
o Each tube has a wall 1,000 times thinner than a human
hair

8. MANUFACTURE OF MICRO LATTICES.
CONVENTIONAL METHODS
 Subtractive manufacturing
 Traditional cutting and tooling
Limitations over modern methods
• Large amount of material wastage
• Difficult to obtain low relative density
ADVANCED METHODS
 Rapid prototyping or Additive
manufacturing
 Metal powder fused together
Advantages over conventional methods
• Low wastage and high re-use of metal
powders
• Easy to obtain low relative density

9. SLM & EBM PROCESS

10. SELF PROPAGATING POLYMER WAVE GUIDES
Design, processing, and cellular architecture of ultralight micro
lattices

11. A: Polymer micro lattice templates are fabricated from a 3D array
of self-propagating photopolymer waveguides;
B: The open-cellular templates are electroless plated with a
conformal Ni-P thin film followed by etch removal of the
template;
C: Image of the Ni-P micro lattice fabricated.

12. Mechanical Properties of Micro lattices.
Depend on –
 The mechanical properties of parent material,
 Size and shape of cell,
 Periodicity and connectivity between cell walls or struts,
 Type of strut: solid and hollow strut,
 Type of porosity
 Relative density of the materials etc.
𝑅𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝜌∗ =
‫𝑦𝑡𝑖𝑠𝑛𝑒ܦ‬ ‫݂݋‬ 𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑖ܿ𝑒 ݉𝑎𝑡𝑒‫𝑙𝑎𝑖ݎ‬
‫𝑦𝑡𝑖𝑠𝑛𝑒ܦ‬ ‫݂݋‬ ‫𝑡𝑛𝑒ݎ𝑎݌‬ ݉𝑎𝑡𝑒‫𝑙𝑎𝑖ݎ‬

13. Applications:

14. • Aerospace
• Impact & blast resistant structures

15. • Thermal and vibration insulators such as shock absorbers/
shock energy damping, and may also prove useful as
battery electrodes, catalyst supports and in maintenance of
acoustics
• suitable for use in spring-like energy storage devices,
• Automotive and aeronautical manufacturers are using micro
lattice technology to develop extremely lightweight and
efficient structures that combine multiple functions, such as
structural reinforcement and heat transfer, into single
components for high-performance vehicles.

16. Economy and Environment:
The (ore) resources are depleting
• Increasing “peak minerals” problem
• Decreasing “ore grade” problem
• Metallic micro lattices are lightweight
• Requires small amount of raw metal
• Less environmental pollution involving the extraction of
metal ore
• Economical and environment friendly

17. Manufacture of micro lattices is still a complex process
• The mechanical properties and quality of the metallic micro
lattice materials strongly depend upon the manufacturing
process used,
• Continuum scale simulation is unable to predict structural
and dynamic aspects of defects such as dislocations, grain
boundaries etc.
• Lattice structure has predictable properties and can be
suggested to be used in structural applications

19. GRAVITY V/S EGG (WRAP EXPERIMENT)