4D printing and programming of continuous fibre-reinforced shape memory polymer composites

Lalegani Dezaki, M ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5680-1550 and Bodaghi, M ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0707-944X, 2024. 4D printing and programming of continuous fibre-reinforced shape memory polymer composites. European Polymer Journal, 210: 112988. ISSN 0014-3057

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Abstract

This study demonstrates the use of fused filament fabrication (FFF) 4D printing (4DP) to print programmable continuous fibre-reinforced composite (CFRC) structures with exceptional strength and eco-friendly features. This research focuses on bio-shape memory polymer composites (SMPCs) and employs experiments to fabricate lightweight CFRC parts using FFF technology. Different types of continuous fibres, including carbon fibre (CF), aramid fibre (AF), and fibreglass (FG), are incorporated into a biopolymer matrix made of biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA). The study evaluates microstructure, mechanical properties, and shape memory properties of SMPCs, employing techniques like cold and hot programming. Continuous fibres significantly enhance mechanical properties, increasing strength by over 1027.5 % in tensile tests and nearly 497.3 % in three-point bending tests. The research also addresses shape recovery and fixity ratios in 4D-printed SMPCs, finding a decrease when continuous fibres are incorporated into PLA. Notably, FGPLA specimens achieve the highest shape recovery ratio of approximately 95 ± 1 % after pure PLA. These findings highlight the potential of 4D-printed CFRCs in various applications, from human-material interaction to mechanical and biomedical fields. They contribute to sustainability by reducing material consumption and waste, demonstrated through the creation of reusable and lightweight items like hooks, lockers, finger splints, and meta-composites.

Item Type:	Journal article
Publication Title:	European Polymer Journal
Creators:	Lalegani Dezaki, M. and Bodaghi, M.
Publisher:	Elsevier BV
Date:	24 April 2024
Volume:	210
ISSN:	0014-3057
Identifiers:	Number Type 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2024.112988 DOI S0014305724002490 Publisher Item Identifier 1892549 Other
Rights:	© 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Divisions:	Schools > School of Science and Technology
Record created by:	Melissa Cornwell
Date Added:	09 May 2024 08:16
Last Modified:	09 May 2024 08:16
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/51412

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