Viscoelastic properties of architected foams based on the Schoen IWP triply periodic minimal surface

In this article, we studied the viscoelastic properties of an architected foam based on the mathematically-known Schoen IWP triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) under both time and frequency domains. IWP-based architectures possess unique multifunctional attributes when used as a three-dimensional (3D) reinforcement in composites. The 3 D representative volume elements (RVEs) of different relative densities (i.e., the ratio of the foam’s density to the density of its solid counterpart) were generated and studied using the finite element method in order to predict the effective uniaxial, shear, and bulk viscoelastic responses of IWP-foams as a function of relative density and/or frequency. The principle of time-temperature superposition principle was used to create the master curve of the observed relative-density dependent mechanical responses (loss tangent, storage and loss moduli) in frequency domains. Reduced uniaxial, bulk, and shear stiffness-loss map results suggested that the IWP-foam possesses strongest uniaxial viscoelastic response while highest damping can be achieved under shear responses. Relaxation behavior of IWP-foam was compared with other six different types of open-cell periodic foams. It was found that IWP-foam uniaxial response is similar to simple cubic foam, bulk relaxation response is similar to primitive-foam while shear response follows the behavior of body centered cubic foam. Among these foams, we found that IWP-foam is the best candidate to use as a damper under uniaxial and hydrostatic loading conditions.