Impact Performance of 3D Printed Spatially Varying Elastomeric Lattices.

Content Provider	Europe PMC
Author	Dwyer, Charles M. Carrillo, Jose G. De la Peña, Jose Angel Diosdado Santiago, Carolyn Carradero MacDonald, Eric Rhinehart, Jerry Williams, Reed M. Burhop, Mark Yelamanchi, Bharat Cortes, Pedro
Editor	Chiappone, Annalisa Porcu, Stefania
Copyright Year	2023
Abstract	Additive manufacturing is catalyzing a new class of volumetrically varying lattice structures in which the dynamic mechanical response can be tailored for a specific application. Simultaneously, a diversity of materials is now available as feedstock including elastomers, which provide high viscoelasticity and increased durability. The combined benefits of complex lattices coupled with elastomers is particularly appealing for anatomy-specific wearable applications such as in athletic or safety equipment. In this study, Siemens’ DARPA TRADES-funded design and geometry-generation software, Mithril, was leveraged to design vertically-graded and uniform lattices, the configurations of which offer varying degrees of stiffness. The designed lattices were fabricated in two elastomers using different additive manufacturing processes: (a) vat photopolymerization (with compliant SIL30 elastomer from Carbon) and (b) thermoplastic material extrusion (with Ultimaker™ TPU filament providing increased stiffness). Both materials provided unique benefits with the SIL30 material offering compliance suitable for lower energy impacts and the Ultimaker™ TPU offering improved protection against higher impact energies. Moreover, a hybrid lattice combination of both materials was evaluated and demonstrated the simultaneous benefits of each, with good performance across a wider range of impact energies. This study explores the design, material, and process space for manufacturing a new class of comfortable, energy-absorbing protective equipment to protect athletes, consumers, soldiers, first responders, and packaged goods.
Journal	Polymers
Volume Number	15
PubMed Central reference number	PMC10007455
Issue Number	5
PubMed reference number	36904418
e-ISSN	20734360
DOI	10.3390/polym15051178
Language	English
Publisher	MDPI
Publisher Date	2023-02-26
Access Restriction	Open
Rights License	Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). © 2023 by the authors.
Subject Keyword	additive manufacturing lattices functionally graded volumetrically varying elastomers impact energy management
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article
Subject	Chemistry Polymers and Plastics