Durability of Shape Memory Polymer Composite Laminates under Thermo-Mechanical Cycling

Shape memory polymer composites (SMPCs) have been manufactured by press moulding of carbon fibre-reinforced (CFR) prepregs with SMP interlayers. SMPC laminates produced different numbers CFR plies (i.e., 2, 4, 6, and 8) thicknesses the interlayers 100 300 µm) for a sum eight combinations. Co-curing prepreg has led to an optimal adhesion structural functional plies, which confirmed following testing. Single thermo-mechanical cycles at increasing strains 0.06%, 0.12%, 0.18%) multiple cycling performed test laminate durability. Delamination fibre cracking were not observed during testing, showed reproducible SM behaviour after 10 consecutive cycles. properties extracted from tests in terms residual loads as well shape fixity recovery. These data may be used comparison performances laminates, first base designing structures. Thin exhibit lower recovery but higher than thick ones, is very high all SMPCs, average 98%.