A Theoretical and Experimental Investigation of the Hygrothermal Response of Flexible Linkages Fabricated with Fiberous Polymeric Composite Materials

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This project is based on the proposition that industrial and commercial machinery as well as robotic systems can be reliably operated at high speeds, and hence productivity increased, if the moving elements are fabricated from polymeric composite materials, as opposed to traditional commercial metals. These composite materials have high stiffness-to-weight ratios and thus minimize the problems associated with component flexibility. The behavior of polymeric composites is dependent on the ambient hygrothermal environment and it is important that this dependance be understood before mechanisms using such material are designed. This project undertakes that task. It is a combined theoretical and experimental study with the goal of distilling design guidelines for industrial machine systems utilizing polymeric composite components.