Shape Memory Polymer Composite Booms with Applications in Reel-Type Solar Arrays

Solar arrays are the primary energy source for spacecraft.Although traditional rigid solar arrays improve power supply,the quality increases proportionally.Hence,it is difficult to satisfy the requirements of high-power and low-cost space applications.In this study,a shape-memory polymer composite(SMPC)boom was designed,fabricated,and characterized for flexible reel-type solar arrays.The SMPC boom was fabricated from a smart material,a shape-memory polymer composite,whose mechanical properties were tested.Additionally,a mathematical model of the bending stiffness of the SMPC boom was developed,and the bending and buckling behaviors of the boom were further analyzed using the ABAQUS software.An SMPC boom was fabricated to demonstrate its shape memory characteristics,and the driving force of the booms with varying geometric parameters was investigated.We also designed and manufactured a reel-type solar array based on an SMPC boom and verified its self-deployment capability.The results indicated that the SMPC boom can be used as a deployable unit to roll out flexible solar arrays.

Theoretical Analysis of the Buckling Behaviors of Inhomogeneous Shape Memory Polymer Composite Laminates Considering Prestrains

The mismatch in thermal expansion coefficients between the fiber-rich and resin-rich regions of a shape memory polymer composite(SMPC)laminate,along with the residual strain during SMPC fabrication,results in buckling deformation of the inhomogeneous laminate.This paper presents a macroscopic model for buckling of an inhomogeneous SMPC laminate under initial biaxial prestrains.Both linear and nonlinear buckling analyses are carried out using the energy method.The influences of prestrain biaxiality,temperature,and ply angle on the buckling wavelength,critical buckling prestrain,and buckling amplitude are calculated.The results demonstrate that the critical buckling wavelength of the SMPC laminate is independent of the prestrain,while the amplitude is almost independent of temperature.In addition,the optimal fiber stacking configuration with the maximum critical buckling prestrains of inhomogeneous SMPC laminates is determined by a genetic algorithm.

A Shape-Memory Deployable Subsystem with a Large Folding Ratio in China’s Tianwen-1 Mars Exploration Mission

Once China’s Tianwen-1 Mars probe arrived in a Mars orbit after a seven-month flight in the deep cold space environment,it would be urgently necessary to monitor its state and the surrounding environment.To address this issue,we developed a flexible deployable subsystem based on shape memory polymer composites(SMPC-FDS)with a large folding ratio,which incorporates a camera and two temperature telemetry points for monitoring the local state of the Mars orbiter and the deep space environment.Here,we report on the development,testing,and successful application of the SMPC-FDS.Before reaching its Mars remote-sensing orbit,the SMPC-FDS is designed to be in a folded state with high stiffness;after reaching orbit,it is in a deployed state with a large envelope.The transition from the folded state to the deployed state is achieved by electrically heating the shape memory polymer composites(SMPCs);during this process,the camera on the SMPC-FDS can capture the local state of the orbiter from multiple angles.Moreover,temperature telemetry points on the SMPC-FDS provide feedback on the environment temperature and the temperature change of the SMPCs during the energization process.By simulating a Mars on-orbit space environment,the engineering reliability of the SMPC-FDS was comprehensively verified in terms of the material properties,structural dynamic performance,and thermal vacuum deployment feasibility.Since the launch of Tianwen-1 on 23 July 2020,scientific data on the temperature environment around Tianwen-1 has been successfully acquired from the telemetry points on the SMPCFDS,and the local state of the orbiter has been photographed in orbit,showing the national flag of China fixed on the orbiter.

World’s first spaceflight on-orbit demonstration of a flexible solar array system based on shape memory polymer composites

With a 10%reversible compressive strain in more than 10 deformation cycles,the shape memory polymer composites(SMPCs)could be used for deployable structure and releasing mechanism.In this paper,without traditional electro-explosive devices or motors/controllers,the deployable SMPC flexible solar array system(SMPC-FSAS)is studied,developed,ground-based tested,and finally on-orbit validated.The epoxy-based SMPC is used for the rolling-out variable-stiffness beams as a structural frame as well as an actuator for the flexible blanket solar array.The releasing mechanism is primarily made of the cyanate-based SMPC,which has a high locking stiffness to withstand 50 g gravitational acceleration and a large unlocking displacement of 10 mm.The systematical mechanical and thermal qualification tests of the SMPC-FSAS flight hardware were performed,including sinusoidal sweeping vibration,shocking,acceleration,thermal equilibrium,thermal vacuum cycling,and thermal cycling test.The locking function of the SMPC releasing mechanisms was in normal when launching aboard the SJ20 Geostationary Satellite on 27 Dec.,2019.The SMPC-FSAS flight hardware successfully unlocked and deployed on 5 Jan.,2020 on geostationary orbit.The triggering signal of limit switches returned to ground at the 139 s upon heating,which indicated the successful unlocking function of SMPC releasing mechanisms.A pair of epoxy-based SMPC rolled variable-stiffness tubes,which clapped the flexible blanket solar array,slowly deployed and finally approached an approximate 100%shape recovery ratio within 60 s upon heating.The study and on-orbit successful validation of the SMPC-FSAS flight hardware could accelerate the related study and associated productions to be used for the next-generation releasing mechanisms as well as space deployable structures,such as new releasing mechanisms with low-shocking,testability and reusability,and ultra-large space deployable solar arrays.

Advances in 4D printed shape memory composites and structures:Actuation and application

Shape memory polymer composites(SMPCs)are a type of smart material that can change shapes under the stimulation of the external environment,and they have great potential in aerospace,biomedical,robotics,and electronic devices due to their advantages of high strength and toughness,lightweight,impact resistance,corrosion resistance,and aging resistance.4D printing technology has provided new opportunities for the further development of smart materials.The addition of various fillers enriches the variety of printable materials and provides composites with different properties and functions.The combination of SMPCs and printing technologies realizes the structure-function integration.This paper introduces the emergence and development of 4D printing technologies,the preparation methods and properties of SMPCs for 4D printing;as well as the research progress and potential application of 4D printable SMPCs in recent years in terms of thermal,electrical,magnetic,and optical driving.Finally,the existing problems and future development of 4D printable SMPCs are discussed.

Preliminary design and analysis of a cubic deployable support structure based on shape memory polymer composite

The deployable structures based on shape memory polymer com-posites(SMPCs)have been developed for its unique properties,such as high reliability,low-cost,lightweight,and self-deployment without complex mechanical devices compared with traditional deployable structures.In order to increase the inflatable structure system’s robustness and light the weight of it,a cubic deployable support structure based on SMPC is designed and analyzed pre-liminarily.The cubic deployable support structure based on SMPC consists of four dependent spatial cages,each spatial cage is composed of 12 three-longeron SMPC truss booms and end con-nections.The shape recovery of arc-shaped deployable laminates drive the three-longeron SMPC truss booms to unfold,thus realize the expansion of the deployable support structure.The concept and operation of the cubic deployable support structure are described in detail.A series of experiments are performed on the three-longeron deployable laminates unit and the simplified cubic deployable support structure to investigate the shape recovery behavior in the deployment process.Results indicate that the cubic deployable support structure has a high deployment-tgo-stowage volume ratio and can achieve self-deployment,package,and deploy without complex mechanical devices.

光热双响应形状记忆聚氨酯/炭黑纳米复合材料的制备及性能研究

选用聚己内酯为预聚物,炭黑(CB)纳米颗粒作为光响应功能性填料,通过溶液聚合制备了一种光热双响应形状记忆聚氨酯(SMPU)/CB纳米复合材料。利用IR、SEM、DSC和DMA对其结构、形貌、热学性能和形状记忆性能进行表征。研究结果表明,SMPU/CB纳米复合材料展示出优异的形状记忆性能,其形状固定率和形状回复率均在97%以上。此外,由于CB的光热效应,SMPU/CB纳米复合材料在红外光的照射下具有快的响应速度及大的弯曲变形角度,在航空航天、智能驱动等领域具有潜在的应用前景。

Shape Memory Polymer Fibers:Materials,Structures,and Applications

Shape memory polymer(SMP)is a kind of material that can sense and respond to the changes of the external environment,and its behavior is similar to the intelligent refection of life.Electrospinning,as a versatile and feasible technique,has been used to prepare shape memory polymer fbers(SMPFs)and expand their structures.SMPFs show some advanced features and functions in many felds.In this review,we give a comprehensive overview of SMPFs,including materials,fabrication methods,structures,multifunction,and applications.Firstly,the mechanism and characteristics of SMP are introduced.We then discuss the electrospinning method to form various microstructures,like non-woven fbers,core/shell fbers,hollow fbers and oriented fbers.Afterward,the multiple functions of SMPFs are discussed,such as multi-shape memory efect,reversible shape memory efect and remote actuation of composites.We also focus on some typical applications of SMPFs,including biomedical scafolds,drug carriers,self-healing,smart textiles and sensors,as well as energy harvesting devices.At the end,the challenges and future development directions of SMPFs are proposed.

A hygro-thermo-mechanical constitutive model for shape memory polymers filled with nano-carbon powder

The nano-carbon powders are often used as fillers to endow the shape memory polymers(SMPs)with electroconductivity.It has been found that the shape memory effects(SMEs)of SMPs filled with nano-carbon powder can be triggered both by temperature and by water.To reveal the driving mechanism of SMEs,a constitutive model for describing the thermally activated and moisture activated SMEs of these shape memory polymer composite(SMPCs)is developed here.Because both of the SMEs share the same driving mechanism,the variable moisture is incorporated into the framework of a thermo-mechanical modeling approach to disclose the effect of moisture on the thermoviscoelastic properties.The SMPCs are regarded as isotropic materials and the effect of carbon powder on the mechanical properties of the matrix is also considered in the paper.Because the complete recovery may not be reached even they are exposed to the stimulus environment long enough,the blocking mechanism is also considered here.This is the mainly new contribution compared to the early work.Using the method of parameter determination presented here,the effectiveness of the proposed hygro-thermo-mechanical constitutive model is confirmed by comparing the model results with the test data of uniaxial deformation from the literature.

面向火星探测的环氧形状记忆聚合物复合材料的性能研究

国家火星探测任务是建设航天强国进程中的重大标志性工程,是中国航天走向更远深空的里程碑工程.智能材料这种集材料、结构和功能于一体的先进材料将会对火星探测任务有所助力.形状记忆聚合物及其复合材料作为一种典型的智能材料,可在有效减轻载荷的同时实现自主变形,已经在地球同步轨道航天器的应用中崭露头角.因此有必要研究这种新型环氧基形状记忆聚合物复合材料应用于火星探测工程的可能性.首先,针对“天问一号”火星探测器的任务需求,设计了一个具有自释放功能的着陆平台国旗装置.其中的锁紧释放装置由碳纤维增强的形状记忆聚合物复合材料制成,分别从静态拉伸力学性能、动态热机械性能和形状记忆性能三个角度评估了空间辐照和长期存储对形状记忆聚合物复合材料的影响.其中,空间辐照包括γ射线和紫外射线,辐照剂量分别为5×10^(5)rad和23.6 kCal.长期存储分为低温-196℃、室温25℃和高温85℃存储30天,和低温-196℃存储457天两组实验.最后,从“祝融号”火星车所携带相机拍摄的照片可以看到五星红旗被成功释放,旗面平整、图案清晰.这说明所研究的环氧基形状记忆聚合物复合材料可成功应用于火星探测任务,未来有望以多种结构形式助力我国的火星采样返回乃至其它深空探测任务.

形状记忆合金增强复合材料力学试验分析

针对碳纤维树脂基复合材料抗冲击性能差的问题,本文提出了一种内嵌超弹性形状记忆合金丝的碳纤维树脂基复合材料(SMA-CFRP)。采用热压罐成型工艺,选用SMA铺设层数、SMA铺设方向两个参数成型了4种CFRP复合材料样件,分别对其进行了单轴拉伸、低速冲击及三点弯曲试验。由于超弹性SMA丝具有独特的相变机制,在试验加载过程中,承受了准静态或动态载荷并吸收了部分能量,因此相较于CFRP,SMA-CFRP的极限拉伸强度最高提升了7.71%,且抗冲击性能显著提升。试验结果表明,内嵌超弹性SMA能显著改善CFRP在准静态和低速冲击载荷下的力学性能。

Improvement of impact resistance of plain-woven composite by embedding superelastic shape memory alloy wires

Carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites have excellent mechanical properties, specifically, high specific stiffness and strength. However, most CFRP composites exhibit poor impact resistance. To overcome this limitation, this study presents a new plain-woven CFRP composite embedded with superelastic shape memory alloy (SMA) wires. Composite specimens are fabricated using the vacuum-assisted resin injection method. Drop-weight impact tests are conducted on composite specimens with and without SMA wires to evaluate the improvement of impact resistance. The material models of the CFRP composite and superelastic SMA wire are introduced and implemented into a finite element (FE) software by the explicit user-defined material subroutine. FE simulations of the drop-weight impact tests are performed to reveal the superelastic deformation and debonding failure of the SMA inserts. Improvement of the energy absorption capacity and toughness of the SMA-CFRP composite is confirmed by the comparison results.

形状记忆聚合物复合材料及其在空间可展开结构中的应用

综述了形状记忆聚合物复合材料及其在空间可展开结构中的应用。形状记忆聚合物是一种智能主动变形的高分子材料,该材料在外界激励作用下能够产生较大的可回复变形,可应用于智能主动变形结构。首先简述了形状记忆聚合物的研究现状,然后分别介绍了颗粒、短纤维和连续纤维增强的形状记忆聚合物复合材料的研究现状,并重点评述了三种复合材料的电-热致驱动变形性能。此外,本文还介绍了纤维增强形状记忆复合材料在空间可展开结构上的应用,主要包括可展开铰链、可伸缩梁和可展开天线等。

形状记忆聚合物及其在航空航天领域中的应用

介绍了形状记忆聚合物的最新研究进展,从结构角度分析和探讨了不同聚合物产生形状记忆效应的原理,其中,聚烯烃类形状记忆聚合物都具有化学交联和半结晶的结构;相反,形状记忆聚氨酯则具有物理交联和相分离的结构。而液晶弹性体的形状记忆效应则是由于液晶态的相转变而实现的。文中还对聚氨酯、交联聚乙烯、液晶弹性体等形状记忆高分子材料的特性及其在变形机翼、自展开结构等航空航天领域的应用进行了介绍和评价。

形状记忆聚合物复合材料的研究进展

形状记忆聚合物复合材料已成为形状记忆材料的研究热点和重点,文中针对近年来形状记忆聚合物复合材料的最新研究进行了综述。分别对颗粒增强、纤维增强和颗粒纤维混合3类增强材料制备的形状记忆聚合物复合材料的结构与性能特点进行了分析和评述;着重阐述了形状记忆聚合物复合材料形状记忆效应的机理以及影响形状记忆行为的因素;分析了形状记忆聚合物复合材料研究中存在的问题,同时对形状记忆聚合物复合材料的应用前景进行了展望。

橡胶基增强型热致形状记忆复合材料体系

开发了橡胶基增强型热致形状记忆复合材料体系PE-NBR,评价了其性能并与传统形状记忆聚合物进行对比,建立了适用于该体系的本构模型,采用该体系制作了封隔器胶筒并进行了数值模拟和实验研究。将聚烯烃作为形状记忆相,填充有增强颗粒的橡胶弹性体作为改性增强相,制成具有形状记忆效应的功能性复合材料体系。体系拉伸强度达14.3 MPa,硬度达71,形状恢复率95%,优于传统形状记忆聚合物。体系中聚烯烃比例在20%-90%可调,弹性体比例在10%-70%可调。建立了基于细观力学、兼顾材料宏观性能的橡塑共混体系本构模型,可满足大变形、温度相关、非线性复合材料的分析要求。基于PE-NBR体系的形状记忆封隔器胶筒稳定承压不低于10 MPa,接触压力最大值出现在距胶筒端面约60 mm处,可满足应用要求。

形状记忆聚合物及其复合材料在航天领域的应用进展

首先介绍了形状记忆聚合物及其复合材料,概述了该类材料的形状记忆机理。然后重点评述了基于形状记忆聚合物复合材料的可展开铰链、可展开桁架、可展开太阳能电池阵列、锁紧释放机构的结构和性能特点,指出了各类应用的优缺点及适用条件。最后,总结并展望了基于该类材料的空间可展开结构的未来研究重点和发展趋势。

电致型形状记忆聚合物复合材料的研究进展

介绍了电致型形状记忆聚合物复合材料的最新研究进展,详细探讨了碳黑、碳纳米管、碳纤维等导电填料对形状记忆聚合物复合材料的电性能和形状记忆效应的影响,分析了电致型形状记忆聚合物复合材料在实际应用中存在的问题,并展望了未来的研究方向。

形状记忆智能复合材料的发展与应用

智能材料是一种能够感知外部环境变化并自主进行判断、处理以及适度响应的新型智能多功能材料,同时也是继天然材料、合成高分子材料、人工设计材料之后的第四代材料,它的兴起引发了材料科学的一次新的革命。本文从形状记忆智能复合材料的历史起源入手,聚焦形状记忆合金和形状记忆聚合物最新研究成果,分别从形状记忆机理和工程实际应用等多个角度进行阐述,并对现阶段的技术发展难题,如形状记忆合金:生物相容性差、形变恢复小、驱动速度缓慢、疲劳寿命短;形状记忆聚合物:增材制造技术过程复杂、强度和刚度小等进行讨论,最后对未来发展前景进行展望。

形状记忆聚合物复合材料在空间可展结构中的应用研究

传统的机械式可展开结构往往存在机械结构较复杂、质量较大、展开过程易产生振动的缺点,而形状记忆聚合物复合材料具有低成本、低密度、比强度大,展开过程平缓,振动小的特点,这些特点使其成为解决空间可展开结构现在面临问题的一种可能手段。介绍了基于形状记忆聚合物复合材料的空间可展开结构的发展近况,其结构简单、振动小等特点有望使其在未来的航天领域得到更多的应用。