| Abstract Scope |
Although ceramics exhibit good high-temperature strength, their usefulness in structural applications is limited due to their damage intolerance and flaw sensitivity. This paper introduces the chain lattice, a novel material construction which can utilize ceramic additive manufacturing processes to transform monolithic, 3D-printable ceramics from a brittle, flaw-sensitive material into a damage-tolerant, notch-insensitive material with a specific energy absorption several orders of magnitude greater than that of fully dense ceramics. Chain lattices consist of two interpenetrating lattices, where one lattice toughens the material and prevents catastrophic localized failure, while the other lattice serves as a porous matrix that densifies to absorb energy during tensile loading. A model is developed to predict the effect of chain lattice geometry on strength and energy absorption, and finite element analysis is used to validate the model and examine the fracture behavior of chain lattices. |