A 3D printed ‘metamaterial’ boasting levels of strength not normally seen in nature or manufacturing could change how we make everything from medical implants to rocket parts.
RMIT University researchers created the new metamaterial – a term used to describe an artificial material with unique proper ties not observed in nature – from common titanium alloy.
The material’s unique lattice structure show it’s 50% stronger than the next strongest alloy of similar density used in aerospace applications.
By pushing 3D printing design to its limits, the RMIT team optimised the of lattice structure to distribute load stress more evenly, enhancing its strength or structural efficiency.1
The team 3D printed this design using a process called laser powder bed fusion, where layers of metal powder are melted into place using a high-powered laser beam.
Study lead author and RMIT PhD candidate Jordan Noronha said they could make this structure at the scale of several millimetres or several metres in size using different types of printers.
This printability, along with its strength, biocompatibility, corrosion, and heat resistance, make it a promising candidate for a wide variety of applications.
“As the technology develops, it will become more accessible … importantly, metal 3D printing allows easy net shape fabrication for real applications,” he said.
Reference
1. Noronha, J., Dash, J., Qian, M., et al., Titanium multi-topology metamaterials with exceptional strength, Advanced Materials, published online Dec 2023. DOI: 10.1002/ adma.202308715.