Design of wood-like metallic material using metal sheet architecture

Abstract This study proposed a new metal-based material design with a modulus of elasticity and thermal conductivity comparable to that of wood by architecturing of metal sheets. The proposed new material is designed in a form in which metal sheets of the same shape with beads are repeatedly stacked. In order to find a design with the target modulus of elasticity and thermal conductivity values, designs were derived using the Design of Experiment (DOE) and the material properties were predicted accordingly. For the prediction of material properties designed in the shape of a metal sheet architecture, finite element analysis combined with the homogenization method was used in consideration of the repeatability of the material microstructure. The reliability of the prediction of material properties based on the finite element analysis using a unit cell was verified by comparison with the results obtained from the compression test and the temperature wave method for the specimen. By analysing the modulus of elasticity and thermal conductivity data corresponding to the designs derived by DOE, we evaluated the effect of the design variables of the metal sheet architecture on the material properties. In addition, we investigated whether the material properties comparable to wood or leather were included within the derived design domain, and presented detailed design data of a metal sheet architecture that provides targeted material properties. It can be inferred from this study that the use of architecturing of metal sheets enables the development of new metal-based materials that can simulate the properties of other materials while utilizing the advantages of fire resistance and recyclability inherent in metals.