An investigation into metal coated additively manufactured polymer lattice structures

Abstract

The performance of polyamide lattices with electro-deposited metal was evaluated. This was achieved by irreversible compaction of the structures involved in the investigation. The versatility of additive manufacturing was utilized in order to fabricate the lattices. It demonstrated that metal coating of polymer lattices could significantly improve their compression properties. This methodology could provide new opportunities in terms of light weight energy absorbing structures in a wide variety of applications.