Shape Memory Polymer Composites

Admired for their extraordinary stimuli-sensitive behavior and shape-changing capabilities, shape-memory polymers (SMPs) and multifunctional composites are among the most important smart materials. They continue to be widely applied in many diverse fields to create things such as self-deployable spacecraft structures, morphing structures, SMP foams

Shape Memory Polymer Composites discusses the fabrication of smart polymer composites with their material characterization. It covers shape memory polymer composites with two different types of reinforcement: shape memory polymer nanocomposites and shape memory hybrid composites. Enhancing the mechanical and thermomechanical properties of the shape memory polymers makes them an important class of materials for new age applications ranging from aerospace, biomedical, electronics, to marine engineering. The book discusses how shape memory polymer composites exhibit remarkable mechanical properties, as compared to its corresponding shape memory polymers, without compromising the shape memory behavior. It presents experimental case studies of polymers, polymer composites, and multiphase composites, explaining the effects of each reinforcement on the material properties with corresponding simulation. The book will be a useful reference for industry professionals and researchers involved with the mechanics of shape memory materials.

Shape memory polymer chemistry and design for active materials and morphing structuresCovers shape memory in polymers, alloys and composites, including models and testing Essential equations for analysis of the structure, behavior and properties of SMPsMany graphs and figures in full color A technical analysis of shape-memory polymers (SMPs) and their composites, particularly in adaptive materials, this volume introduces designs linking SMPs to metals, elastomers, foams, nanoparticles and other materials, as well as the engineering of SMPs directly into parts and active (morphing) components. Attention is given to controlled structures activated by light, heat, electricity and other energy sources, as well as the connection of SMPs with actuators. Part one discusses the activation and analysis of the shape memory response, including shape recovery. Subsequent chapters offer modeling and other tools for investigating the SMP response, including shape recovery. Part three combines the response with micro- and macro-scale reinforcing phases for producing SMP composites, and the following section discusses synthetic and nanostructured customization of the shape memory polymer response. The final section focuses on specific SMP concepts in aircraft, including morphing skins, wings, unimorph composite actuators for deployment, and variable stiffness elements.

This book explores the recent advances in the field of shape memory polymers, whose ease of manufacturing and wide range of potential applications have spurred interest in the field. The book presents details about the synthesis, processing, characterization, and applications of shape memory polymers, their blends and composites. It provides a correlation of physical properties of shape memory polymers with macro, micro and nano structures. The contents of this book will be of interest to researchers across academia and industry.

Table of Contents -Shape-Memory Polymers and Shape-Changing Polymers By M. Behl, J. Zotzmann, and A. Lendlein -Shape-Memory Polymer Composites By Samy A. Madbouly and Andreas Lendlein -Characterization Methods for Shape-Memory Polymers By W. Wagermaier, K. Kratz, M. Heuchel, and A. Lendlein -Shape-Memory Polymers for Biomedical Applications By Christopher M. Yakacki and Ken Gall -Controlled Drug Release from Biodegradable Shape-Memory Polymers By ChristianWischke, Axel T. Neffe, and Andreas Lendlein

Composites are a class of material, which receives much attention not only because it is on the cutting edge of active material research fields due to appearance of many new types of composites, e.g., nanocomposites and bio-medical composites, but also because there are a great deal of promise for its potential applications in various industries ranging from aerospace to construction due to its various outstanding properties. This book mainly describes some potential applications and the related properties of various composites by focusing on the following several topics: health or integrity monitoring techniques of composites structures, bio-medical composites and their applications in dental or tissue materials, natural fiber or mineral filler reinforced composites and their property characterization, catalysts composites and their applications, and some other potential applications of fibers or composites as sensors, etc. This book has been divided into five sections to cover the above contents.

Shape Memory Composites Based on Polymers and Metals for 4D Printing is a thorough discussion of the physics and chemistry behind this developing area of materials science. It provides readers with a clear exposition of shape-memory-composite (SMC) preparation techniques for 3D and 4D printing processes and explains how intelligent manufacturing technology may be applied in fields such as robotics, construction, medical science, and smart sensors. The book covers fundamental background knowledge on the synthesis of shape memory polymers (SMPs) and shape memory alloys (SMAs), and additive manufacturing techniques. Polymers and metals and their roles in 4D printing are dealt with separately, and applications of 4D printing are treated in their own chapter. The different alloy compositions and nanoparticle fillers in polymer composites are examined in detail, along with the key mechanisms involved in their processing. Hybrid nanofillers and synergistic composite mixtures, which are either in extensive current use or have shown promising outcomes in the field of 4D printing, are thoroughly discussed. Differences between these novel SMCs and traditional metal alloys, organic and inorganic composites are presented, and means by which they can improve mechanical properties that are triggered by external sources like magnetic field, temperature, and pH of solvent, are set out. This book provides practitioners, industrial researchers, and scholars with a state-of-the-art overview of SMP/SMA synthesis, additive manufacturing, modification in synthesis of SMCs for 4D printing, and their likely future applications.

Structural Health Monitoring of Biocomposites, Fibre-Reinforced Composites and Hybrid Composites provides detailed information on failure analysis, mechanical and physical properties, structural health monitoring, durability and life prediction, modelling of damage processes of natural fiber, synthetic fibers, and natural/natural, and natural/synthetic fiber hybrid composites. It provides a comprehensive review of both established and promising new technologies currently under development in the emerging area of structural health monitoring in aerospace, construction and automotive structures. In addition, it describes SHM methods and sensors related to specific composites and how advantages and limitations of various sensors and methods can help make informed choices. Written by leading experts in the field, and covering composite materials developed from different natural fibers and their hybridization with synthetic fibers, the book's chapters provide cutting-edge, up-to-date research on the characterization, analysis and modelling of composite materials. Contains contributions from leading experts in the field Discusses recent progress on failure analysis, SHM, durability, life prediction and the modelling of damage in natural fiber-based composite materials Covers experimental, analytical and numerical analysis Provides detailed and comprehensive information on mechanical properties, testing methods and modelling techniques