metalattice

Metallattice refers to lattice structures fabricated from metal or to the crystalline lattice of metal elements. In engineering and materials science, metallattices commonly describe engineered, porous networks made from metal that provide a combination of lightness, stiffness, and energy absorption. They are used at macro scales (3D-printed metal lattices) and, less often, as descriptions of atomic lattices in metals.

Macro-scale metallattices use repeating unit cells such as octet-truss, cubic, or kelvin cell geometries. The choice of topology, cell size, and relative density determines stiffness, strength, and failure modes. Advanced designs use topology optimization to minimize weight while meeting performance targets.

Fabrication is dominated by metal additive manufacturing techniques such as laser powder bed fusion (DMLS/SLM) and electron beam melting, which can produce complex lattice geometries directly from metal powders. Other approaches include investment casting with a lattice core or metal foams created via space-holder methods.

Properties of metallattices are highly tunable: they exhibit high strength-to-weight ratios, controlled energy absorption, and anisotropic behavior depending on build direction and topology. However, they may present manufacturing challenges, surface roughness, residual stresses, and fatigue sensitivity at the lattice nodes.

Applications span aerospace, automotive, medical implants (porous metallic scaffolds promoting bone ingrowth), sports equipment, and heat exchangers, where lattices enable high surface area and rapid thermal transfer. Research continues on new materials, multi-material lattices, and hybrid interfaces with conventional solid parts.

See also: additive manufacturing, lattice structure, metal foam, metamaterial, topology optimization.