Electro-mechanical characterization of shape memory alloy hybrid yarn based adaptive fiber-reinforced plastics

Abstract

Shape memory alloys (SMA) are being used for the development of adaptive fiber-reinforced plastics (FRP) with high functional density. During the thermal induced activation of SMA, a barrier layer between FRP matrix and SMA is necessary to reduce the delamination at the interface between them and increase the deformation potential of FRP by mechanical decoupling of SMA from the matrix. Hence, this work presents the electro-mechanical characterization of adaptive FRP that are based on SMA hybrid yarns. To realize this aim, four types of SMA hybrid yarn variations were produced by means of the friction spinning technology. Subsequently, these SMA hybrid yarns were integrated into reinforcing fabrics by tailored fiber placement technology for the fabrication of adaptive FRP. In the final step, extensive electro-mechanical characterizations of the produced hybrid-yarn-based adaptive FRP were performed. Results revealed that the type of SMA hybrid yarn significantly influenced the deformation behavior of adaptive FRP.