Compression and energy absorption of maraging steel primitive scaffolds produced by powder bed fusion

Triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMS) allow the production of structural components with high mechanical strength and energy absorption capacity and significantly reduce material consumption during manufacturing. The fabrication provided by laser powder bed fusion expands the manufacture of TPMS by allowing the obtention of high-performance components. Thus, this study investigated the compression responses of as-built and aged (480 degrees C for 3 h) maraging steel 300 primitive scaffolds under compressive loading in different directions (0 degrees and 90 degrees). Compressive tests and failure analysis showed that the maraging steel specimens subjected to aging treatment had approximately 56% improved yield and 20% collapse strength, in comparison to the as-built specimens, due to the austenite reversion and intermetallic precipitates within the martensitic structure. Also, a non-linear correlation of energy absorption capacity with strain was observed during the compression of the TPMS. It was also well evidenced that mechanical performance and energy absorption capacity depends on post heat treatment and loading direction, which can contribute to an improved design strategy of TPMS devices produced by laser powder bed fusion.