The Thermal Properties of a Prototype Insulation with a Gyroid Structure—Optimization of the Structure of a Cellular Composite Made Using SLS Printing Technology

Abstract

This paper focuses on the search for novel insulating structures, and the generation of them by means of a state-of-the-art manufacturing method—3D printing. Bionic structures, which are successfully used in many branches of technology, were chosen as the source of inspiration for the research. The paper presents a design of spatial structures with a gyroid infill (e.g., TPMS), the shape of which reflects the bionic structure of the inside of a bone. For SLS printed single- and multi-layered structures, the design value of the thermal conductivity coefficient was determined through measurements and calculations. A statistical analysis was carried out to determine the effect of the direction of heat flow, as well as the internal structure and layering of the prototype materials, on the values of the thermal conductivity coefficient and the thermal resistance coefficient. On the basis of the multicriteria analysis, the composite’s optimal composition according to the adopted optimization criteria was determined. The lowest possible thermal conductivity of the insulation was equal to 0.033 W/(m × K). The highest possible thermal resistance was equal to 0.606 m2K/W. Thermal insulation made of the prototype insulating partitions with a gyroidal structure is characterized by good insulating parameters.

Emerging 3D printed thermal insulating materials for sustainable approach: A review and a way forward

“…These materials are known to be very light weighing and show very high mechanical strength comparable to and better than steel. 51 Various raw materials like ABS, ZnO, Silk fibroins, tetramethyl ortho silicate, hexadecyl trimethyl silane, Polyurethane foam, TPU, cork powder Class-F fly ash, ordinary Portland cement, silica fume, limestone powder, sodium silicate, Cellulose nanocrystals, Table 1, given below, summarizes the raw materials for the 3D printed materials having applications in thermal insulation.…”

“…This study revealed the significant thermal insulating ability of the triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) materials. These materials are known to be very light weighing and show very high mechanical strength comparable to and better than steel 51 …”

Designs, advancements, and applications of three-dimensional printed gyroid structures: A review

“…Many new applications are examples (see Supplemental Figure 26) including feed spacers for improvement in heat and mass transfer, 148 battery electrodes, 149 bioreactors, 150 small tibial knee implants, 151 catalytic converter substrates, 152 and thermal insulators. 153 Yang et al 154 proposed the gyroid surface for sound absorption applications due to its curve shape. The effective high absorption coefficients and high frequency can be modified by altering the geometry variables including the unit cell size, VF, and test elevation.…”

“…Many new applications are examples (see Supplemental Figure 26) including feed spacers for improvement in heat and mass transfer, 148 battery electrodes, 149 bioreactors, 150 small tibial knee implants, 151 catalytic converter substrates, 152 and thermal insulators. 153…”

The Potential of 3D Printing in Thermal Insulating Composite Materials—Experimental Determination of the Impact of the Geometry on Thermal Resistance

“…Other research has used TPMS structures to create materials with specific properties. Research on porous TPMS structures focuses on finding a configuration that provides the most favorable combination of material properties, i.e., mechanical, thermal, and optical [ 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ]. Much analysis has been devoted to the design of a spatial TPMS structure with a gyroid or diamond insert, the shape of which mirrors the bionic structure of the bone interior [ 20 , 21 , 25 ].…”