A bistable morphing composite using viscoelastically generated prestress

Wang, Bing; Fancey, Kevin S.

Abstract

Elastically generated prestress within polymeric composites can be used to create bistable morphing structures; i.e. they can ‘snap through’ between one of two states. In this paper, a morphing bistable structure has been produced, utilising viscoelastically generated prestress. Here, polymeric fibres are subjected to a tensile (viscoelastic) creep load which is released before the fibres are moulded into a matrix. Following curing, the previously strained fibres continue to attempt viscoelastic recovery, creating compressive stresses within the matrix that are counterbalanced by residual tension in the fibres. The bistable structure consists of prestressing strips bonded to the sides of a thin, flexible resin-impregnated fibre-glass sheet. Bistability is achieved through pairs of strips orientated to give opposing cylindrical configurations within the sheet. It is envisaged that viscoelastically prestressed morphing structures may overcome the potential limitations of elastic prestressing; i.e. production flexibility and product longevity.

Citation

Wang, B., & Fancey, K. S. (2015). A bistable morphing composite using viscoelastically generated prestress. Materials letters, 158(November), 108-110. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matlet.2015.05.129

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 3, 2015
• Online Publication Date: May 28, 2015
• Publication Date: 2015-11
• Deposit Date: Aug 4, 2015
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 23, 2017
• Journal: Materials letters
• Print ISSN: 0167-577X
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 158
• Issue: November
• Pages: 108-110
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matlet.2015.05.129
• Keywords: Polymeric composites; Functional; Viscoelasticity
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/377363
• Publisher URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167577X15008356
• Additional Information: Authors' accepted manuscript of article published in: Materials letters, 2015, v.158, November at http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167577X15008356
• Contract Date: Nov 23, 2017