Shape memory polymer foam: active deformation, simulation and validation of space environment

Abstract

Shape memory polymer foam (SMPF) is being studied extensively as potential aerospace materials as they have high compression ratio, high specific strength and high specific modulus compared to other shape memory polymers. In this paper, a composite foam with shape memory epoxy (SMEP) as matrix and polyurethane (PU) as functional phase was prepared. The SMPF has been characterized by different analytical and testing methods, and its chemical crosslinking reaction and material properties have been studied. The SMPF was installed in the shape memory polymer composite (SMPC) flexible solar array system (SMPC-FSAS), and ground environment tests and orbital validation were performed. Considering the particularity of space environment, the thermal performance test of ground space environment can effectively test the reliability of shape memory performance. Finally, the SMPC-FSAS carried on SJ-20 satellite successfully deployed on geosynchronous orbit for the first time in the world. Moving forward, SMPF assesses the feasibility of applications in the space field and provides more valuable information.

Preparation and Properties of Shape Memory PEG/IEM Resin and Its Composite Designed for Ureter Stent

“…Shape Memory Properties Analysis: Dynamic mechanical and thermal analysis was used to test the shape memory performance of the cured PEG/IEM resin under dynamic cycles by the TA Q800 instrument (tensile mode, 5 Hz frequency). The test specimen was a rod of 30×5×1mm 3 . Test temperature equilibrated at 10 °C isothermals for 10.00 min and raised to 65 °C by the rate of 3 °C min −1 isothermal for 10.00 min.…”

“…Shape memory polymers (SMPs), as novel smart materials, could memorize pre‐designed temporary shapes [ 1 ] and retain the original shape upon the corresponding stimuli, [ 2 ] including heat, [ 3 ] electricity, [ 4 ] magnetism, [ 5 ] light, [ 6 ] and so on. Take heat‐triggered SMP as an example, the matrix polymer usually contains two parts: reversible phase and rigid phase.…”

Multifunctional properties optimization and stimuli‐responsivity of shape memory polymeric nanoarchitectures and applications

“…In the textile segment, breathable fabrics constituted of SMP offer improved comfort on exposure to varying moisture and temperature. [24][25][26][27][28] Nanoparticulates are usually within the dimensional range of 1-100 nm, behaving as a whole entity relative to transport properties. [29] Additionally, the attributes of nanoparticulates are dimensionally related, changing from those of either fine particulates or bulkish materials.…”

“…In the textile segment, breathable fabrics constituted of SMP offer improved comfort on exposure to varying moisture and temperature. [ 24–28 ]…”

On Lightweight Shape Memory Vitrimer Composites

“…Since the first SMP-based syntactic foam was reported by Li and John, many SMP-based syntactic foams have been studied, including SMP-based syntactic foams with extrinsic self-healing capabilities by incorporation of external healing agents, , foam behavior under cyclic loading, and foam durability under environmental attacks . Constitutive modeling of SMP-based syntactic foams has also been conducted. − Potential applications of SMP-based syntactic foams include using them as sandwich cores, deployable space structures, sealants in pavement and bridge deck joints, , and loss circulation materials in the oil and gas and geothermal industries . Recent development includes SMP-based syntactic foams with multifunctionalities such as 3D printability, flame retardancy, strain sensing, and two-way shape memory effect. − …”