4D Printed Shape Memory Polymer Composite Structures for Deployable Small Spacecrafts

Abstract Four dimensional (4D) printing is the convergence of three dimensional (3D) printing, which is an emerging additive manufacturing technology for smart materials. 4D printing is referred to the capability of changing the shape, property, or functionality of a 3D printed structure under a particular external stimulus. This paper presents the structural performance, shape memory behavior and photothermal effect of 4D printed pristine shape memory polymer (SMP) and it’s composite (SMPC) with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). Both materials have demonstrated the ability to retain a temporary shape and then recover their original. It is revealed that the incorporation of MWCNTs into the SMP matrix has enhanced the light stimulus shape recovery capabilities. Light stimulus shape transformation of 4D printed SMPC is advantageous for space engineering applications as light can be focused onto a particular area at a long distance. Subsequently, a model 4D printed deployable boom, which is applicable for small spacecrafts is presented. The shape fixity and recovery behaviors of the proposed boom have been investigated. Notably, the model boom structure has demonstrated ∼86 % shape recovery ratio. The proposed innovative approach of additive manufacturing based deployable composite structures will shape up the future space technologies.

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Origami-inspired shape memory dual-matrix composite structures

Journal of Intelligent Material Systems and Structures ◽

10.1177/1045389x19873429 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 30 (17) ◽

pp. 2639-2647

Author(s):

O-Hyun Kwon ◽

Jin-Ho Roh

Keyword(s):

Shape Memory ◽

Polymer Composite ◽

Matrix Composite ◽

Composite Structures ◽

Shape Recovery ◽

Shape Memory Polymer ◽

Tensile Tests ◽

Woven Fabrics ◽

Morphing Structure ◽

Composite Skins

A sandwiched morphing structure is developed using an Origami-inspired shape memory dual-matrix composite core and shape memory polymer composite skins. The geometric parameters of the morphing structure are designed to have a zero Poisson’s ratio. In addition, an analytical model is developed to analyze the three-dimensional morphing structure easily. The shape memory dual-matrix composites are fabricated with woven fabrics based on the shape memory polymers, and an epoxy matrix is used to ensure a flexible and shape-recoverable structure. The shape recoverability of the shape memory polymer composite skins is verified by measuring the shape recovery ratio at various temperatures. Based on the tensile tests for the shape memory polymer composite skins and shape memory polymer hinges, it is found that the morphing structure can be highly flexible depending on temperature. Finally, the bending and shape recovery behaviors of the morphing structure are demonstrated.

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AM-FFF of Objects Using Commercial PLA Based Shape Memory Polymer Printed by an Open-Source 3D Printer

Annals of Dunarea de Jos University of Galati Fascicle XII Welding Equipment and Technology ◽

10.35219/awet.2020.04 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 31 ◽

pp. 30-34

Author(s):

N. Dresler ◽

A. Ulanov ◽

M. Aviv ◽

D. Ashkenazi ◽

A. Stern

Keyword(s):

Additive Manufacturing ◽

3D Printing ◽

Shape Memory ◽

Open Source ◽

Shape Memory Polymer ◽

Manufacturing Processes ◽

3D Printer ◽

4D Printing ◽

Fused Filament Fabrication ◽

Memory Cycle

The 4D additive manufacturing processes are considered today as the "next big thing" in R&D. The aim of this research is to provide two examples of commercial PLA based shape memory polymer (SMP) objects printed on an open-source 3D printer in order to proof the feasibility of such novel 4D printing process. To that purpose, a PLA based filament of eSUN (4D filament e4D-1white, SMP) was chosen, and two applications, a spring and a vase, were designed by 3D-printing with additive manufacturing (AM) fused filament fabrication (FFF) technique. The 4D-printed objects were successfully produced, the shape memory effect and their functionality were demonstrated by achieving the shape-memory cycle of programming, storage and recovery.

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Towards a Design Framework for Multifunctional Shape Memory Polymer Based Product in the Era of 4D Printing

Volume 2: Mechanics and Behavior of Active Materials; Structural Health Monitoring; Bioinspired Smart Materials and Systems; Energy Harvesting; Emerging Technologies ◽

10.1115/smasis2018-7935 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Bingcong Jian ◽

Fédéric Demoly ◽

Yicha Zhang ◽

Samuel Gomes

Keyword(s):

Additive Manufacturing ◽

Shape Memory ◽

Smart Materials ◽

Ad Hoc ◽

Shape Memory Polymer ◽

Functional Materials ◽

Product Development Process ◽

Stimuli Responsive ◽

4D Printing ◽

Complex Stimuli

Shape-memory polymers (SMPs) as stimuli-responsive shape-changing materials gained significant interest in recent years. Their developments have challenged the conventional understanding of the polymer effect and have further enhanced and broadened the applications of the smart materials. Nowadays, 4D printing is seen as an emerging technology that combines smart materials and additive manufacturing, which can be used to design active mechanical structures. It provides tremendous potential for engineering applications which is capable of producing complex, stimuli-responsive 3D structures. While many “ad hoc” designs of 4D printed solutions have been progressively developed for a specific process, the general approach of additive manufacturing that integrates smart materials in real time across an entire product development process is not pervasive in the industry. To solve this issue, the authors propose a general 4D printing oriented framework for the design of multi-functional SMPs architectures. This framework is not intended to be an exhaustive and specific instruction but is instead a means to motivate these designers to seek the process of applying these unique functional materials to their own designs and applications. It will be useful and give more insight into the design process of the SMP device.

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4D Printing and Characterization of Shape Memory Polymer (SMP) Based Smart Gripper

European Journal of Engineering Research and Science ◽

10.24018/ejers.2020.5.10.2174 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 5 (10) ◽

pp. 1204-1211

Author(s):

Francis Irungu Maina ◽

Nahashon Osinde ◽

Japheth Ka’pesha Odira ◽

Patrick Kariuki Wanjiru ◽

Margaret Wanjiku Mwangi

Keyword(s):

Shape Memory ◽

Recovery Rate ◽

Shape Recovery ◽

Shape Memory Polymer ◽

Print Quality ◽

Stimuli Responsive ◽

4D Printing ◽

Printing Parameters ◽

Made In

Shape Memory Polymer (SMP) is stimuli-responsive material with the ability to recover the original shape from a deformation upon triggering by an appropriate stimulus like heat, light, and electricity. The shape recovery properties can be harnessed through 4D printing of self-recoverable functional structures and made usable in fields like medicine and robotics. To investigate the recovery properties, best printing parameters and optimal sizes, 4D reconfigurable gripper designed in CAD was printed in Ultimaker 2 Printer. Different stencils were made in varying printing parameters of temperature, infill, speed and time. Analysis for the stencils proved best print quality at a temperature of 195 °C and nozzle retract speed of 40mm/s. Shape recovery characterization was done on MATLAB. A printing temperature of 203 °C, infill density of 38% and printing speed of 40 mm/s gave the gripper with the best print quality. Characterization of the varying performances of the four grippers was attributed to the different infill percentages. The lower the infill, the higher the recovery rate due to the low stiffness of the gripper. The best recovery rate of 96.93% was associated with an optimal printing temperature of 203 °C.

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Fused Filament Fabrication-4D-Printed Shape Memory Polymers: A Review

Polymers ◽

10.3390/polym13050701 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (5) ◽

pp. 701

Author(s):

Sara Valvez ◽

Paulo N. B. Reis ◽

Luca Susmel ◽

Filippo Berto

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Properties ◽

Additive Manufacturing ◽

Shape Memory ◽

Structural Integrity ◽

Shape Memory Polymer ◽

Shape Memory Polymers ◽

Layer By Layer ◽

4D Printing ◽

Fused Filament Fabrication ◽

External Stimuli

Additive manufacturing (AM) is the process through which components/structures are produced layer-by-layer. In this context, 4D printing combines 3D printing with time so that this combination results in additively manufactured components that respond to external stimuli and, consequently, change their shape/volume or modify their mechanical properties. Therefore, 4D printing uses shape-memory materials that react to external stimuli such as pH, humidity, and temperature. Among the possible materials with shape memory effect (SME), the most suitable for additive manufacturing are shape memory polymers (SMPs). However, due to their weaknesses, shape memory polymer compounds (SMPCs) prove to be an effective alternative. On the other hand, out of all the additive manufacturing techniques, the most widely used is fused filament fabrication (FFF). In this context, the present paper aims to critically review all studies related to the mechanical properties of 4D-FFF materials. The paper provides an update state of the art showing the potential of 4D-FFF printing for different engineering applications, maintaining the focus on the structural integrity of the final structure/component.

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Design of Shape Memory Thermoplastic Material Systems for FDM-Type Additive Manufacturing

Materials ◽

10.3390/ma14154254 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (15) ◽

pp. 4254

Author(s):

Paulina A. Quiñonez ◽

Leticia Ugarte-Sanchez ◽

Diego Bermudez ◽

Paulina Chinolla ◽

Rhyan Dueck ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Additive Manufacturing ◽

Shape Memory ◽

Thermomechanical Processing ◽

Material Selection ◽

Shape Memory Polymer ◽

Fused Filament Fabrication ◽

Materials Development ◽

Thermoplastic Material ◽

Polymer Systems ◽

Injection Molded

The work presented here describes a paradigm for the design of materials for additive manufacturing platforms based on taking advantage of unique physical properties imparted upon the material by the fabrication process. We sought to further investigate past work with binary shape memory polymer blends, which indicated that phase texturization caused by the fused filament fabrication (FFF) process enhanced shape memory properties. In this work, two multi-constituent shape memory polymer systems were developed where the miscibility parameter was the guide in material selection. A comparison with injection molded specimens was also carried out to further investigate the ability of the FFF process to enable enhanced shape memory characteristics as compared to other manufacturing methods. It was found that blend combinations with more closely matching miscibility parameters were more apt at yielding reliable shape memory polymer systems. However, when miscibility parameters differed, a pathway towards the creation of shape memory polymer systems capable of maintaining more than one temporary shape at a time was potentially realized. Additional aspects related to impact modifying of rigid thermoplastics as well as thermomechanical processing on induced crystallinity are also explored. Overall, this work serves as another example in the advancement of additive manufacturing via materials development.

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Structural multi-colour invisible inks with submicron 4D printing of shape memory polymers

Nature Communications ◽

10.1038/s41467-020-20300-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Wang Zhang ◽

Hao Wang ◽

Hongtao Wang ◽

John You En Chan ◽

Hailong Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Shape Memory ◽

Information Hiding ◽

Shape Memory Polymer ◽

Shape Memory Polymers ◽

Photonic Devices ◽

Temperature Sensitive ◽

4D Printing ◽

Two Photon ◽

Shape Memory Effects ◽

Nanoscale Structure

AbstractFour-dimensional (4D) printing of shape memory polymer (SMP) imparts time responsive properties to 3D structures. Here, we explore 4D printing of a SMP in the submicron length scale, extending its applications to nanophononics. We report a new SMP photoresist based on Vero Clear achieving print features at a resolution of ~300 nm half pitch using two-photon polymerization lithography (TPL). Prints consisting of grids with size-tunable multi-colours enabled the study of shape memory effects to achieve large visual shifts through nanoscale structure deformation. As the nanostructures are flattened, the colours and printed information become invisible. Remarkably, the shape memory effect recovers the original surface morphology of the nanostructures along with its structural colour within seconds of heating above its glass transition temperature. The high-resolution printing and excellent reversibility in both microtopography and optical properties promises a platform for temperature-sensitive labels, information hiding for anti-counterfeiting, and tunable photonic devices.

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Investigate of Electrical Conductivity of Shape-Memory Polymer Filled with Carbon Black

Advanced Materials Research ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.47-50.714 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 47-50 ◽

pp. 714-717 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Xin Lan ◽

Jin Song Leng ◽

Yan Ju Liu ◽

Shan Yi Du

Keyword(s):

Electrical Conductivity ◽

Carbon Black ◽

Shape Memory ◽

Shape Recovery ◽

Volume Fraction ◽

Shape Memory Polymer ◽

Recovery Process ◽

Thermomechanical Properties ◽

Electrically Conductive ◽

New System

A new system of thermoset styrene-based shape-memory polymer (SMP) filled with carbon black (CB) is investigated. To realize the electroactive stimuli of SMP, the electrical conductivity of SMP filled with various amounts of CB is characterized. The percolation threshold of electrically conductive SMP filled with CB is about 3% (volume fraction of CB), which is much lower than many other electrically conductive polymers. When applying a voltage of 30V, the shape recovery process of SMP/CB(10 vol%) can be realized in about 100s. In addition, the thermomechanical properties are also characterized by differential scanning calorimetery (DSC).

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