Titanium lattice structures manufactured by EBM process: Effect of skin material on bending characteristics

Lattice structures are very interesting for applications in the aerospace field since they combine high stiffness with lightweight. Moreover, they can constitute the core material for sandwich structures. In this work, the bending properties of two kinds of sandwich structures were compared through experimental activity: both of them had a lattice core of titanium alloy manufactured through Electron Beam Melting process, but one presented composite material skin and the other titanium skin. For the same geometrical parameter, the bending stiffness of the alltitanium structure was found higher, but the hybrid one was deemed more performant if the weight is equal.

Automated summary

Lattice structures have high stiffness and lightweight properties, making them suitable for aerospace applications. This study compared the bending properties of two sandwich structures with lattice cores made of titanium alloy. The all-titanium structure had higher bending stiffness, but the hybrid structure was deemed more performant when weight was equal.