Dipartimento di Matematica Guido Castelnuovo, Università Sapienza Roma
Abstract: Shape memory polymers and their composites (SMPs and SMPCs) belong to a new class of smart materials, which can have interesting applications as expandable/deployable structures and light actuators. In particular, SMPCs combine typical mechanical and functional properties of composites with shape memory properties. Such properties can be given to composite materials and structures by using shape memory polymer (SMP) matrices or integratingShape memory polymers and their composites (SMPs and SMPCs) belong to a new class of smart materials, which parts made of SMPs. In the case of integration, SMPC laminate can be obtained by adding a shape memory layer in form of powder between the two composite skins or flexible composite skins can be applied over a shape memory foam core obtaining composite sandwich. As shape memory materials, SMPCs can respond to specific external stimulus changing their configuration and then remember the original shape.