Hinged Adaptive Fiber-Rubber Composites Driven by Shape Memory Alloys—Development and Simulation

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Abstract

Adaptive structures based on fiber-rubber composites with integrated Shape Memory Alloys are promising candidates for active deformation tasks in the fields of soft robotics and human-machine interactions. Solid-body hinges improve the deformation behavior of such composite struc-tures. Textile technology enables the user to develop reinforcement fabrics with tailored properties suited for hinged actuation mechanisms. In this work, flat knitting technology is used to create bi-axially reinforced, multilayer knitted fabrics with hinge areas and integrated Shape Memory Alloy wires. The hinge areas are achieved by dividing the structures into sections and varying the config-uration and number of reinforcement fibers from section to section. The fabrics are then infused with silicone, producing a fiber-rubber composite specimen. An existing simulation model is enhanced to account for the hinges present within the specimen. The active deformation behavior of the resulting structures is then tested experimentally, showing large deformations of the hinged specimens. Finally, the simulation results are compared to the experimental results, showing deformations deviating from the experiments due to the developmental stage of the specimens. Future work will benefit from the findings by improving the deformation behavior of the specimens and enabling further development for first applications.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number3830
JournalMaterials
Volume15
Issue number11
Publication statusPublished - 27 May 2022
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

Scopus 85131592305
PubMed 35683128
unpaywall 10.3390/ma15113830
Mendeley c694231c-d6b3-3a99-bb14-de4972805cdf
WOS 000808927100001
ORCID /0000-0002-5906-8670/work/141544639
ORCID /0000-0003-0262-8670/work/142245911
ORCID /0000-0001-6058-2581/work/153109510

Keywords

DFG Classification of Subject Areas according to Review Boards

Subject groups, research areas, subject areas according to Destatis

Keywords

  • Shape Memory Alloy, fiber-rubber composite, hinge, simulation, shape memory alloy