A Two-Way Shape Change Polymeric Laminate with Fast, Large and Controllable Deformation in Response to Joule Heat

Abstract

In this project a polymeric laminate composite was fabricated from a carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) plate and a polyvinylchloride (PVC). The PVC-CFRP laminate worked as a bimorph actuator. Bending behavior of the PVC-CFRP laminate was tested by fully submerging the laminate in a water bath and also changing the environmental temperature. It is observed that the PVC-CFRP laminate has a number of advantages compared to other polymer-based actuators: (i) it exhibits relatively fast shape change; (ii) it generates a relatively high level of force; (iii) it is mechanically strong; (it) it requires no solvent; and (v) it exhibits two-way shape change. Moreover, the bending curvature and the blocking force of such a laminate are solely determined by the laminate temperature, which can be controlled by Joule heating. This makes PVC-CFRP laminate an electrically controllable actuator.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 12, 2011
Accession Number
ADA547660

Entities

People

  • Hirohisa Tamagawa

Organizations

  • Gifu University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Actuators
  • Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer
  • Carbon Fibers
  • Composite Materials
  • Curvature
  • Displacement
  • Fibers
  • Geometry
  • Heat Treatment
  • Hot Water
  • Laminates
  • Materials
  • Metal Matrix Composites
  • Polymers
  • Shape
  • Surface Temperature
  • Temperature Control

Fields of Study

  • Materials science

Readers

  • Polymer Science and Engineering.
  • Structural Health Monitoring of Composite Structures.
  • Thermal Physics or Thermal Science.