Shape Memory Polymer Composites with Complex Fibre Architectures

形状记忆聚合物(SMPS)可以存储临时形状，然后在施加外部刺激(如热)时恢复到原始形状。与其他形状记忆材料相比，SMP具有重要的优势，如重量轻、应变恢复能力高、性能更易于定制。相反，当以纯形式使用时，SMP固有的低机械性能和形状恢复力(SRF)会受到影响。对于可展开的空间结构和微型飞行器等应用来说，这些都是需要改进的重要特性。这些缺点可以通过纤维增强的SMP来解决，以制造SMP复合材料(SMPC)。编织是一种广泛使用的结构复合材料预制件制造技术，它能够形成复杂的纤维结构，并对纤维纱线的取向进行良好的控制。本项目旨在研究编织增强SMP复合材料(BSMPC)。长期目标是通过详细和系统的实验和分析研究，显著提高对BSMPC热机械性能的基本了解。在今后五年中，为实现一些长期目标，提出了三个短期目标(以项目的形式)：(1)表征编织角对BSMPC的影响，以了解BSMPC的行为，(2)开发BSMPC的热机械性能(包括SRF)的预测模型，以及(3)BSMPC的现场激活，以不仅在受控的实验室环境中而且在现实生活中提供这些材料的激活手段。这些项目的成功完成将使我们了解这些新型多功能复合材料提供的优势，并将使我们更接近于制定BSMPC的设计指南，使这些材料能够得到最有效的利用。它将使加拿大成为多功能智能结构的领先国家。这些结构的重要性得到了NSERC的认可，因为它被列为NSERC战略项目赠款的目标区域之一。该项目还将培训一批高素质的人员，这将是加拿大工业/研究人员的巨大资产。

Shape Memory Polymers (SMPs) can store a temporary shape and then be restored to their original shape upon application of an external stimulus, such as heat. SMPs offer important advantages over other shape memory materials, such as lightweight, high strain recover-ability, and easier tailorable properties. Conversely, when used in pure form, SMPs suffer from their inherent low mechanical properties and shape recovery forces (SRF). These are important properties that need to be improved for applications such as deployable space structures and micro aerial vehicles. These shortcomings can be addressed by fiber-reinforcing SMPs to create SMP-composites (SMPCs). Braiding is a widely used structural composite preform manufacturing technique that is capable of forming complex fibre architectures with excellent control over the fibre yarn orientation. This project aims to investigate braid-reinforced SMP-composites (BSMPCs). The long-term objectives are to significantly improve the fundamental understanding of the thermo-mechanical properties of BSMPCs via a detailed and methodical experimental and analytical investigation. For the next five years three short-term objectives (in the form of projects) are proposed to fulfill some of the long-term objectives: (1) Characterization of the effect of braid angle on BSMPCs to understand the behavior of BSMPCs, (2) Development of a predictive model for thermo-mechanical properties (including SRF) of BSMPCs, and (3) Field-activation of BSMPCs to provide means of activation of these materials not only in controlled laboratory environments but also in real life scenarios. Successful completion of these projects will lead to understanding the advantages offered by these new multifunctional composite materials and will bring us closer to develop design guidelines for BSMPCs that will allow the most effective use of these materials. It will put Canada forward as a leading country on multifunctional smart structures. Importance of these structures is recognized by NSERC as it is listed as one of NSERC Strategic Project Grants target areas. The project will also train a number of Highly Qualified Personnel that will be tremendous assets to Canadian industry/research workforce.