Finite element analysis of shape-memory polymer mast

Space masts are widely used in the aerospace engineering as one type of deployable space structures. In this paper, based on the stimuli-responsive effects of shape-memory polymers (SMPs), an intelligent mast with shape-memory function is studied. The thermos-mechanical constitutive model of SMPs is...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Shuai Liu, Qing-Sheng Yang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2019-10-01
Series:International Journal of Smart and Nano Materials
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/19475411.2019.1686666
Description
Summary:Space masts are widely used in the aerospace engineering as one type of deployable space structures. In this paper, based on the stimuli-responsive effects of shape-memory polymers (SMPs), an intelligent mast with shape-memory function is studied. The thermos-mechanical constitutive model of SMPs is associated with the finite element (FE) software, and then the deployable deformation and shape-memory effect of the intelligent mast are investigated by the FE method. It is demonstrated that the mast can automatically deploy due to the shape recovery characteristics of SMPs. Furthermore, the effects of structure parametric of the mast and temperature are also investigated. The results can contribute to the design and application of novel SMP masts.
ISSN:1947-5411
1947-542X