Finite element analysis of shape-memory polymer mast

Abstract

Space masts are widely used in the aerospace engineering as one type of deployable space structures. In this paper, based on the stimuli-responsive effects of shape-memory polymers (SMPs), an intelligent mast with shape-memory function is studied. The thermos-mechanical constitutive model of SMPs is associated with the finite element (FE) software, and then the deployable deformation and shape-memory effect of the intelligent mast are investigated by the FE method. It is demonstrated that the mast can automatically deploy due to the shape recovery characteristics of SMPs. Furthermore, the effects of structure parametric of the mast and temperature are also investigated. The results can contribute to the design and application of novel SMP masts.

Keywords

• space masts
• shape-memory polymers
• fe analysis
• folding and deployment