Tailoring the compressive properties of 3D printed composites using bioinspired micro/macrostructure designs.

ABSTRACT: Delicate hierarchical designs in natural composites are known to significantly enhance mechanical properties while maintaining light weight. By contrast, achieving complex structures with such properties in man-made composites remains a challenge. Recent advances combining 3D printing and shear forces have enabled the efficient and cost-effective fabrication of microstructured hierarchical structures. Inspired by the Bouligand structure in the mantis shrimp, we 3D printed glass microfiber-reinforced composites in porous Bouligand structures with lattice designs to yield lightweight, strong, and energy-absorbing composites. The bulk Bouligand composites exhibited the maximum compressive stress and energy absorption values of 117 MPa and 19 MJ/m³ at a pitch angle θ = 40°. Converse

SUBMITTER: Guan L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12534399 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature