Mechanical responses of snap-fit Ti-6Al-4V warren-truss lattice structures

Lattice structures with warren-truss topology were fabricated from sheet titanium alloy of a single 1.5 mm thickness using a snap-fit methodology and bonded metallurgically via vacuum brazing. Lattice structures having a relative density in the 3.3% to 15% range were manufactured via a strut length variation from 10 to 27 mm, and mechanically tested in compression. Micromechanical models were developed to predict the compressive properties, including elastic modulus and strength, of the snap-fit warren-truss lattices, and were shown to be in excellent agreements with experimental measurements and numerical predictions. The mechanical properties of Grade-5 titanium alloy warren-truss lattice structures are found to be superior to the octet-truss topology counterparts and other existing topologies and materials.