Graded Minimal Surface Structures with High Specific Strength for Broadband Sound Absorption Produced by Laser Powder Bed Fusion

In this research, a design method for triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) structures with a high specific strength for broadband sound absorption is proposed. The graded TPMS structures are controlled by linear, quadratic, and sine functions. Homogeneous TPMSs and graded TPMSs were manufactured by laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) with AlSi7Mg powder, and acoustic impedance tube, compression, and digital image correlation (DIC) tests were applied to obtain the sound absorption and compression properties. The sound absorption coefficient of a homogeneous gyroid increases as the height and offset thickness of the surface increase, and it increases as element size decreases. The sound absorption peak shifts to low frequencies as the height of the structure increases. The average sound absorption coefficient at 1/3 octave from 500 to 6300 Hz of the graded TPMS with a porosity from 60.51 to 77.59% (surface of incident sound wave to rigid backing) is superior to that of the graded TPMS with a porosity from 77.59 to 60.51%, but the latter has a broadband sound absorption coefficient. The compression and DIC results of graded TPMS also show excellent mechanical properties and energy absorption characteristics.