Hybrid materials based on polymers-filled AM steel lattices with enhanced energy absorption capabilities

Metal lattice structures fabricated by additive manufacturing (AM) processes combined with polymers provide hybrid materials with unexpected mechanical properties. In particular, this paper investigates the increased capability of absorbing elasto-plastic energy of the composite material, which is higher than the sum of energies absorbed by each constituent material. Furthermore, the fabrication process to obtain reliable and repeatable hybrid components by filling the metal lattice with polymer is introduced and validated.