Particle-reinforced ultralight hollow Ni-P-B₄C microlattice composite materials

The performance of lightweight porous materials is closely dependent on the structure and composition of the components. Herein we introduced boron carbide submicron particles as reinforcements and prepared the polymer/Ni-P-B₄C microlattice composite materials with diamond structure by 3D printing and electroless plating technology. Upon dissolution of the polymer template, the ultralight hollow Ni-P-B₄C microlattice with a density of 6.7 to 10.2 mg·cm⁻³ was obtained. Compression experiments showed that by introducing B₄C, the specific strength of polymer/Ni-P-B₄C microlattice is 1.5 times that of polymer/Ni-P microlattice, and the specific strength of hollow Ni-P-B₄C microlattice is 2 times that of hollow Ni-P microlattice. The enhancement of specific strength is attributed to the load transfer between the Ni-P matrix and B₄C particles, shear band strengthening effect, and the obstacle effect of grain refinement on dislocations.