Shape Recovery Behavior of Carbon Nanopaper Shape Memory Polymer Composite

This thesis presents analytical, experimental and modeling studies of the shape recovery behavior of electrically activated Carbon Nanopaper (CNP) Shape Memory Polymer (SMP)composite. The composite structure studied consists of a CNP layer sandwiched by two SMP layers where the CNP layer acts as a flexible electrical heater when a voltage difference is applied. The behavior of CNP/SMP composite presents a coupled electrical - thermal - structural problem. The governing equations for the multiphysics behavior are derived. Derived parameters as a result of multiphysics analysis and effects of these parameters on the shape recovery behavior are investigated. The mechanical properties of the carbon nanopaper and viscoelastic properties of the shape memory polymer are characterized. A nonlinear, fully coupled electrical -thermal-structural finite element model is developed, and shape recovery experiments are carried out to validate multiphysics analysis and finite element model of the shape recovery of the CNP/SMP composite. Finite element model captures the general behavior of shape recovery, but overpredicts shape fixity and shape recovery rate