Abstract
Fiber-reinforced rubber composites with integrated shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator wires present a promising approach for the creation of soft and highly elastic structures with adaptive functionalities for usage in aerospace, robotic, or biomedical applications. In this work, the flat-knitting technology is used to develop glass-fiber-reinforced fabrics with tailored properties designed for active bending deformations. During the knitting process, the SMA wires are integrated into the textile and positioned with respect to their actuation task. Then, the fabrics are infiltrated with liquid silicone, thus creating actively deformable composites. For dimensioning such structures, a comprehensive understanding of the interactions of all components is required. Therefore, a simulation model is developed that captures the properties of the rubber matrix, fiber reinforcement, and the SMA actuators and that is capable of simulating the active bending deformations of the specimens. After model calibration with experimental four-point-bending data, the SMA-driven bending deformation is simulated. The model is validated with activation experiments of the actively deformable specimens. The simulation results show good agreement with the experimental tests, thus enabling further investigations into the deformation mechanisms of actively deformable fiber-reinforced rubbers.
Highlights
Adaptive structures have been an increasingly popular field of research in recent years, with the numbers of publications and patents rising significantly since the year 2000 [1]
Adaptive structures are usually driven, controlled, or supported by smart materials that act as structurally integrated actuators and sensors
Actuators based on smart materials have, been the subject of ample research in recent years [6]
Summary
Adaptive structures have been an increasingly popular field of research in recent years, with the numbers of publications and patents rising significantly since the year 2000 [1]. Shape memory alloys (SMAs) have emerged as promising candidates for creating adaptive structures Their ability to react to thermal stimuli with reversible shape changes allows users to reduce the complexity, size, and cost of mechanical systems by replacing conventional actuators, such as electrical motors, hydraulics, or pneumatics [9]. They offer high activation forces (20–60 N for contractile wire actuators) and deformations (4–6% contraction) in comparison to other popular smart actuators (large in comparison to Piezo but smaller than shape memory polymers). Advances in textile technology [17,18] enable the tailoring of reinforcement textiles to the specific requirements for such highly deformable fiber-rubber composites (FRCs) and the integration of actuators such as wire-shaped SMAs directly into the fabric. The multilayer knitting technology [17,18,30] enables the user to tailor the properties of a reinforcement textile to their respective requirements and integrate additional functional components into the fabric, offering a high scope for design while requiring a small machine configuration and programming effort in comparison to other textile processes
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