Shape Memory Polymers For Aerospace Applications

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.

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.

This work addresses the basic principles, synthesis / fabrication and applications of smart materials, specifically shape memory materials Based on origin, the mechanisms of transformations vary in different shape memory materials and are discussed in different chapters under titles of shape memory alloys, ceramics, gels and polymers Complete coverage of composite formation with polymer matrix and reinforcement filler conductive materials with examples

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

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.

This review report gives an overview of how polymers are used in aerospace applications. Topics covered include: Composites, including thermosets, thermoplastics and nanocomposites. Fibre reinforcement of the composites and the specialised applications are covered. For each type of composite, the chemistry, cure methods, fabrication methods, mechanical properties, thermal properties and environmental degradation are considered. Applications include: sealants, structural adhesives, foams, primer paint, shape memory alloys, electroactive devices, MEMS, vibration damping, NLO properties and ablative polymers.

Shape-memory polymers (SMP) are a unique branch of the smart materials family which are capable of changing shape on-demand upon exposure to external stimulus. The discovery of SMP made a significant breakthrough in the developments of novel smart materials for a variety of engineering applications, superseded the traditional materials, and also influenced the current methods of product designing. This book provides the latest advanced information of on-going research domains of SMP. This will certainly enlighten the reader to the achievements and tremendous potentials of SMP. The basic fundamentals of SMP, including shape-memory mechanisms and mechanics are described. This will aid reader to become more familiar with SMP and the basic concepts, thus guiding them in undergoing independent research in the SMP field. The book also provides the reader with associated challenges and existing application problems of SMP. This could assist the reader to focus more on these issues and further exploit their knowledge to look for innovative solutions. Future outlooks of SMP research are discussed as well. This book should prove to be extremely useful for academics, R&D managers, researcher scientists, engineers, and all others related to the SMP research.