Experimental and modelling studies of the shape memory properties of amorphous polymer network composites

Abstract

Shape memory polymer composites (SMPCs) have become an important leverage to improve the development of shape memory polymers (SMPs) applications. An amorphous SMP matrix has been filled with different types of reinforcements in this study. An experimental set of results is presented and then compared to 3D finite element simulations. Thermomechanical shape memory cycles were performed in uniaxial tension. The fillers effect was studied in stress-free and constrained-strain recoveries. Experimental observations indicate complete shape recovery and put in evidence the increased sensitivity of constrained length stress recoveries to the heating ramp on the tested composites. The simulations reproduced a simplified periodic reinforced composite and use a model for the matrix material that has been previously tested on regular SMPs. The latter combines viscoelasticity at finite strain and time-temperature superposition. The simulations permit to represent the recovery properties of a reinforced SMP easily.