High actuation properties of shape memory polymer composite actuator

• Published in: Smart materials and structures Vol. 22; no. 2; pp. 25023 - 1-11
• Main Authors: Basit, A, L'Hostis, G, Durand, B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bristol IOP Publishing 01.02.2013; Institute of Physics
• Subjects: Actuation; Actuators; Asymmetry; Constraints; Displacement; Engineering Sciences; Exact sciences and technology; General equipment and techniques; Instruments, apparatus, components and techniques common to several branches of physics and astronomy; Other; Physics; Plates (structural members); Shape memory; Shape memory alloys; Transducers; Shape memory effects; Actuators; Composite materials; Asymmetry; Epoxy resin; Thermomechanical properties; Polymers; Bending test; Recovery (properties)
• ISSN: 0964-1726; 1361-665X; 1361-665X
• DOI: 10.1088/0964-1726/22/2/025023

The shape memory polymers (SMPs) possess two shapes: permanent shape and temporary shape. This property leads to replacement of shape memory alloys by SMPs in various applications. In this work, two properties, namely structure activeness and the shape memory property of 'controlled behavior composite material (CBCM)' plate and its comparison with the conventional symmetrical composite plate (SYM), are studied. The SMPC plates (CBCM and SYM) are manufactured using epoxy resin with a thermal glass transition temperature (Tg) of 130 °C. The shape memory properties of these composites are investigated (under three-point bending test) and compared by deforming them to the same displacement. Three types of recoveries are conducted: unconstrained recovery, constrained recovery, and partial recovery under load. It is found that by coupling the structure activeness (due to its asymmetry) and its shape memory property, higher activated displacement is obtained during the unconstrained recovery. Also, at a lower recovery temperature (90 °C) than the fixing temperature, a recovery close to 100% is obtained for CBCM, whereas for SYM it is only 25%. During constrained recovery, CBCM produces five times larger recovery force than SYM. In addition, higher actuation properties are demonstrated by calculating recovered work and recovery percentages during partial recovery under load.