Thermo-dynamic characteristics of nitinol-reinforced composite beams

Review of Progress in Shape Memory Epoxies and Their Composites

Shape memory polymer (SMP) is capable of memorizing one or more temporary shapes and recovering successively to the permanent shape upon various external stimuli. Beside of the above mentioned one-way variants, also two-way shape memory polymers (SMPs) and shape memory (SM) systems exist which feature a reversible shape change on the basis of "on-off switching" of the external stimulus. The preparation, properties and modelling of shape memory epoxy resins (SMEP), SMEP foams and composites have been surveyed in this exhaustive review article. The underlying mechanisms and characteristics of SM were introduced. Emphasis was put to show new strategies on how to tailor the network architecture and morphology of EPs to improve their SM performance. To produce SMEPs novel preparation techniques, such as electrospinning, ink printing, solid-state foaming, were tried. The potential of SMEPs and related systems as multifunctional materials has been underlined. Added functionality may include, among others, self-healing, sensing, actuation, porosity control, recycling. Recent developments in the modelling of SMEPs were also highlighted. Based on the recent developments some open topics were deduced which are merit of investigations in future works.

Active Stiffening of Composite Materials by Embedded Shape-Memory-Alloy Fibres

The use of shape-memory-alloy (SMA) fibres to actively changethe stiffness of a composite beam is investigated on a model system composed of an epoxy matrix with a series of embedded pre-strained NiTi fibres. Stiffness changes are detected through shifts in the natural vibration frequency of the beam. When electrically heated, the pre-strained NiTi fibres undergo a phase transformation. Since the shape recovery associated with the transformation is restrained by the constraints of both the matrix and the clamping device, a force is generated. This force leads to an increase in the natural vibration frequency of the composite beam. Depending on the degree of fibre pre-strain, either ordinary martensite, R-phase or a mixture of the two can be stress-induced. It is found that the R-phase gives rise to the largest change in vibration frequency for a given temperature increase and the most reversible behaviour. Its low transformation strain is also more favourable for fibre-matrix adhesion. The effect of stress relaxation in the polymer matrix on the composite response is discussed.