Experimental investigation of 3D printed bio-inspired Xylotus lattice structure for energy absorption under quasi-static axial loading conditions

The demand for robust, lightweight polymer components in various industries has prompted researchers to turn to nature's structures for inspiration. Leveraging Polymer Additive Manufacturing (PAM), specifically Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF), complex bio-inspired lattice polymer structures have been successfully realized. This experimental study focuses on the development of novel 3D printed bioinspired Xylotus lattice structure with elements inspired by xylem and lotus. The primary goal was to evaluate the deformation behaviour and energy absorption characteristics of 3D printed Xylotus lattice structure under quasi-static compressive loading and compare the results with existing research. The hybrid (Xylotus) structure of xylem and lotus exhibited a sequential failure pattern, starting with axial cracks and followed by buckling. Furthermore, an analysis of energy absorption showed that the xylem lattice outperformed the lotus lattice, thanks to its robust tubular elements. Notably, the Xylotus lattice displayed the highest energy absorption capabilities, capitalizing on features from both lotus and xylem. The energy absorption of the Xylotus lattice structure surpassed that of the xylem and lotus structures by 13% and 29.2%, respectively. The xylotus lattice structure exhibited 38% higher energy absorption compared to the existing research. Moreover, the specific energy absorption of the Xylotus lattice structure outperformed the lattice structures reported in the existing research by 37%. This study offers valuable insights into the structural behaviour, energy absorption, and specific energy absorption of bio-inspired lattice Xylotus structure. The findings contribute significantly to the design of resilient, lightweight components, supporting the advancement of bio-inspired structures for diverse applications in various industries.