Optimizing the pinch-off problem for gradient triply periodic minimal surface cellular structures manufactured by selective laser melting

Purpose This study aims to focus on the optimized design and mechanical properties of gradient triply periodic minimal surface cellular structures manufactured by selective laser melting. Design/methodology/approach Uniform and gradient IWP and primitive cellular structures have been designed by the optimized function in MATLAB, and selective laser melting technology was applied to manufacture these cellular structures. Finite element analysis was applied to optimize the pinch-off problem, and compressive tests were carried out for the evaluation of mechanical properties of gradient cellular structures. Findings Finite element analysis shows that the elastic modulus of IWP increased as design parameterbincreased, and then decreased when parameterbis higher than 5.5. The highest elastic modulus of primitive increased by 89.2% when parameterbis 6. The compressive behavior of gradient IWP and primitive shows a layer-by-layer way, and elastic modulus and first maximum compressive strength of gradient primitive are higher than that of gradient IWP. The effective energy absorption of gradient cellular structures increased as the average porosity decreased, and the effective energy absorption of gradient primitive is about twice than that of gradient IWP. Originality/value This paper presents an optimized design method for the pinch-off problem of gradient triply periodic minimal surface cellular structures.