Abstract
Four-dimensional (4D) printing technology, combining 3D printing with stimuli-responsive materials, has attracted extensive attention for smart additive manufacturing. This work focuses on microstructural design, shape recovery behavior and recovery force characterization of 4D printed angle-ply laminated and rectangular braided preforms and their silicone elastomer matrix composites. The angle-ply laminated and rectangular braided preforms were printed using polylactic acid (PLA) and carbon nanotube reinforced PLA (CNT/PLA) based shape memory polymer (SMP) filaments. The X-ray micro-computed tomography, a high resolution and nondestructive imaging technique, was employed to characterize the microstructures of 4D printed specimens and their post-bending damage morphology. The effects of microstructure, CNT filler and silicone elastomer matrix on shape recovery behavior, recovery force and flexural property were studied. The infilling of CNT enabled earlier initiation of specimen shape recovery process, improved the recovery force up to 144% and enhanced the flexural load and modulus. The infusion of silicone matrix increased the final shape recovery ratio to 97.3%, improved the recovery force and enhanced flexural property. The knowledge gained in this research will benefit future design optimization for smarter, faster and stronger actuators.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
