Mechanical properties of cast Ti-6Al-4V lattice block structures

Ti-6Al-4V lattice block structure panels were fabricated using an aerospace-quality investment casting process. Testing in compression, bending, and impact show that high strength, ductility, and energy absorption are achieved for both individual struts and full panels, despite the intricacies involved with casting fine struts (1.6 or 3.2 mm in diameter) from a highly reactive, poor-fluidity liquid titanium alloy. The panel stress-strain curve calculated by finite-element modeling correlates well with experimental results, indicating that the occasional defects, which are common to aerospace grade castings and may be present in the struts and nodes, have little detrimental effect on the overall panel compressive properties.