Shape Memory Polymer Composites with Complex Fibre Architectures

形状记忆聚合物（SMP）可以存储临时形状，然后在施加外部刺激（例如热量）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，例如重量轻、应变恢复能力高以及更容易定制的特性。相反，当以纯形式使用时，SMP 会受到其固有的低机械性能和形状恢复力 (SRF) 的影响。这些都是可部署空间结构和微型飞行器等应用需要改进的重要特性。这些缺点可以通过纤维增强形状记忆聚合物来创建形状记忆聚合物复合材料 (SMPC) 来解决。编织是一种广泛使用的结构复合材料预制件制造技术，能够形成复杂的纤维结构，并对纤维纱线取向进行出色的控制。该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而系统的实验和分析研究，显着提高对 BSMPC 热机械性能的基本理解。 在未来五年中，提出了三个短期目标（以项目的形式）来实现一些长期目标：（1）表征编织角对 BSMPC 的影响，以了解 BSMPC 的行为，（2）开发 BSMPC 热机械性能（包括 SRF）的预测模型，以及（3）BSMPC 的场激活，以提供不仅在受控实验室环境中而且在现实生活场景中激活这些材料的方法。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所提供的优势，并使我们更接近制定 BSMPC 的设计指南，从而最有效地利用这些材料。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 战略项目拨款目标领域之一。该项目还将培训一批高素质人才，这对加拿大工业/研究人员来说将是巨大的资产。

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.