The effects of carbon fiber on electroactive shape memory behaviors of cyanate/polybutadiene epoxy/carbon black composites

Abstract

Electroactive shape memory composites were synthesized using polybutadiene epoxy and bisphenol A-type cyanate ester filled with 2 wt% carbon fiber; 3 wt% carbon fiber; 4 wt% carbon fiber; 4 wt% carbon black; 4 wt% carbon black and 0.3 wt% carbon fiber; 4 wt% carbon black and 0.5 wt% carbon fiber; 4 wt% carbon black and 0.8 wt% carbon fiber. Mechanical, electrical performance, and electroactive shape memory behavior were systematically investigated by dynamic mechanical analysis and scanning electron microscopy. It is found that the volume resistivity sharply decreased due to excellent electrical conductivity and synergic effect of carbon black and carbon fiber, in turn resulting in good electroactive shape memory properties. The content of carbon fiber and applied voltage had significant influence on electroactive shape memory effect of the developed bisphenol A-type cyanate ester/polybutadiene epoxy/carbon black/carbon fiber composites. Shape recovery can be observed within a few seconds with carbon black content of 4 wt%, carbon fiber content of 0.5 wt%, and voltage of 60 V. Shape recovery time decreased with the increase content of carbon fiber and voltage.