Thermomechanical and fire performance of DGEBA based shape memory polymer composites for constructions

Abstract

Smart shape memory polymers (SMPs) and their fibre reinforced composites have a unique ability to memorize and recover a defined shape when exposed to an external stimulus. In recent past, the branch of SMP composites has been one of the highly researched areas in polymer materials, due to their competent thermomechanical and structural properties. This paper presents an investigation of a novel application of shape memory polymer composites (SMPCs) in civil infrastructure, into which its unique inherent properties can be effectively used. Moreover, the study has reported the structural properties of SMPCs reinforced with glass, carbon and natural basalt fibre, and examined their durability in terms of Ultraviolet (UV) radiation absorption, fire safety and thermal decomposition. Furthermore, a suspected composition of the gaseous traces resulted by SMPC degradation at higher temperatures was also presented. Accordingly, this research work lays the foundation to integrate the combination of shape memory effect and structural properties of SMPCs in challenging and developing civil infrastructural concepts such as modular constructions.