An electro-activated type shape memory cyanate ester-epoxy (CE-EP) composites containing short carbon fiber (SCF) and carbon black (CB) were fabricated, where SCF linked among CB particles to make the superior conductivity network in compositions. In the compositions, the content of
CB was fixed at 5 wt%, while the amount of SCF was ranged from 0 to 0.9 wt%. The synergistic effects of SCF and CB on the mechanical properties test, electrical properties, SEM, DMA and the electro-activated type shape memory experiment was reviewed. The outcomes showed that when the parts
of SCF is less than 0.9%, the mechanical properties and storage modulus of required compositions expand with the content of the SCF growth. But, when the SCF content reaches 0.9 wt%, the flexural strength and storage modulus of the compositions decrease slightly. With the growth of SCF content,
the glass transformation temperature increases from 89 °C to 103 °C and the resistivity of the composites decreases gradually. The resistivity of the composites is only 7.37 Ω/cm with 0.9 wt% of SCF. Further, the thermal response speed and shape convalescence rate of the compositions
increase greatly with the growth of SCF content.
Publisher's Note: “Synergic effect of carbon black and short carbon fiber on shape memory polymer actuation by electricity” [J. Appl. Phys. 104, 104917 (2008)]