Materials with three-dimensional architectures yield a wide range of mechanical properties, and the architecture can be tailored to exhibit anisotropic mechanical properties conducive for specific applications. The purpose of this study is to design mathematically modelled novel 3D open cell lattice structures with tunable biomechanical properties.
In this study, the authors have mathematically modelled novel architectures using trigonometric equations to generate the three-dimensional (3D) surfaces. More than 20 such 3D architectures were modelled, and four selected lattices were additively manufactured using Ti6Al4V. Static loading tests were performed to evaluate their usefulness in mechano-biological applications.
The effective Young’s moduli were obtained in the range of 3.4–4.6 GPa across different directions of the fabricated lattice structures. Computational Fluid Dynamics analysis helped to understand the permeability of the four open-cell lattices (designed with 50% porosity). The fabricated lattices also displayed satisfactory stiffness retention under cyclic loading conditions. In summary, mathematical modelling empowers us to design novel architectures of open cell lattices tailored for specific applications.
The designed lattices provide a platform for the design and development of tunable 3D anisotropic bone implants. The designed structures displayed comparable strength to native bone tissue and good fatigue resistance, which makes them excellent candidates for the development of personalised mechanomimetic bone implants.
