Investigations on porous media customized by triply periodic minimal surface: Heat transfer correlations and strength performance

Porous media are used widely in technological (e.g., transpiration cooling and heat sinks for electronic devices), and biological (e.g., bone tissue) applications. The requirement for performance optimization demands a transition from passive selection to actively designing the topology of porous media. Triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) structures provided unique opportunities for customizing porous media. Further research is required regarding the quick topology customization, heat transfer correlation, and strength performance of TPMS porous structures. In this study, the correlations among the feature parameters in the TPMS equations in terms of the porosity (uniform and smooth graded), pore density, and equivalent pore diameter were also determined, thereby providing a rapid method for customizing the topology of TPMS porous structures. The correlations of flow resistance and heat transfer coefficient were determined in four TPMS porous structures (W type, P type, D type, and G type) by considering the Reynolds number (Reh = 10–129) and porosity (ɛ = 0.2–0.8). The strengths of TPMS-based porous structures were compared in experimental tests by combining with theoretical analysis. The results obtained in the present study provide valuable guidance for customizing the topology of TPMS porous media and predicting their performance in terms of flow resistance, and heat transfer, and strength.