Research Progress on Deployable Structures of Shape Memory Polymer Composites

Abstract

As a new kind of smart material, shape memory polymers (SMPs) show great promise in aerospace. Intelligent material structure with low cost, smooth process, low vibration, high strength and excellent electrical conductivity, and its composite with a certain reinforced phase can be designed according to the mechanism, composition and structure of the polymeric material. In this paper, three kinds of matrix for shape memory polymer composites and the method of preparing shape memory structures for each matrix are introduced. From macro structures, the three kinds of SMPs are discussed in separate deployable structures. The shape-memory mechanism, recovery rate, fixed rate, and response speed are presented in detail. Also, some applications of shape memory polymer composites in space deployable structures are introduced.

Keywords

• shape memory polymer
• composite material
• deployable structure
• epoxy resin
• cyanate ester resin
• polystyrene