Topology-Dependent Mechanical Response of Auxetic Lattices: A Finite Element Study on AlSi10Mg Structures
Abstract
Auxetic materials exhibiting a negative Poisson’s ratio (NPR) show unique deformation mechanisms that enable lateral expansion under tension and contraction under compression. This study numerically investigates three distinct auxetic geometries, namely, Re-entrant, Double-arrow, and Butterfly-shaped, all constructed from AlSi10Mg alloy under uniaxial tensile and compressive loading conditions using ANSYS Workbench 2024 R2. All models were established with comparable external dimensions to ensure geometry-based comparison and were simulated with large deformation and bilinear isotropic hardening to capture nonlinear elastoplastic behaviour. The results reveal that geometric topology strongly governs the overall mechanical response. The Re-entrant model demonstrated the highest load-carrying capacity (~ 592 kN) and stiffness, making it ideal for energy-absorbing and structural applications. The Double-arrow geometry exhibited uniform stress distribution and moderate NPR performance, balancing strength and deformability. The Butterfly structure, while less stiff, displayed the most pronounced auxetic expansion and flexibility, indicating potential for adaptive and morphing systems. Comparable tensile and compressive responses confirmed elastic reversibility across all models. These findings emphasize that geometry-driven auxetic mechanisms can effectively be optimized to achieve tunable stiffness, energy absorption, and deformation characteristics in lightweight structural and biomedical applications.
Keywords: Auxetic, Metamaterials, Automotive, AlSi10Mg.
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