Study on the tensile properties of 3D printing cell structure based on fractal theory

Abstract

Abstract Using lightweight technology involves optimizing materials, structures, and manufacturing processes to reduce structural weight while meeting performance standards. This technology has emerged as pivotal in advancing the next generation of aerospace equipment. This study employed the 3D printing method using PLA material to produce tensile test specimens of three structures: the concave hexagonal, bionic feather, and standard structures. Tensile and finite element simulation tests were conducted to assess their tensile properties. By comparing crack propagation paths under tensile load, the impact of these paths on structure fracture toughness was analyzed using fractal theory. The findings reveal that distinct structures exhibit varied fracture toughness due to differing crack propagation paths during tensile fracture. Fractal dimensions were calculated for each structure: 1.491 for the concave hexagonal structure, 1.488 for the bionic feather structure, and 1.465 for the standard structure. These dimensions suggest that the concave hexagonal structure possesses the highest fracture toughness among the three structures.