Controlling and testing anisotropy in additively manufactured stochastic structures

Additive manufacturing (AM) enables fine control over the architecture and mechanical properties of porous lattice structures. Typical periodic unit cells used in structures are inherently anisotropic, may not be suitable for multi-axial applications cannot reliably create features or struts with low build angle. This study laser powder bed fusion (PBF) to isotropic stochastic stainless steel (SS316L) titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V), modifications that aimed overcome PBF limitations angles. The were tested uniaxial compression (n = 5) 10 load orientations relative structure, including three orthogonal axes. testing verified no hidden peaks elastic modulus existed structure. Modification structure reduced standard deviation values from 249 MPa 101 when made SS316L 95.9 52.5 Ti6Al4V, indicating more isotropic. These modified have improved stiffness isotropy could lightweighting biomaterial applications, reducing dependence performance on orientation, allowing flexibility component orientation platform.