Modeling the thermomechanical behavior of carbon fiber–reinforced shape memory polymer composites under the finite deformation

In this article, a thermoviscoelastic constitutive model is introduced to describe the unidirectional continuous elastic fiber–reinforced shape memory polymer composites under the finite deformation. Although the shape memory polymers can be used in finite deformations, only a small strain can be applied on the carbon fiber for its small failure tensile strain (about 2%). Using the model, the effective strain of the carbon fiber for the unidirectional continuous carbon fiber–reinforced shape memory polymer composites can be derived. It is found that the carbon fiber–reinforced shape memory polymer composites with the fiber inclination angle in a typical range can be used in the finite deformation, without failure of the carbon fiber. Besides, a simplified buckling model is proposed to predict the fiber buckling under axial compression. It is calculated that the buckling critical stress is rather small. Therefore, it should be avoided in application. As for carbon fiber–reinforced shape memory polymer composites, the bending driving capacity is the crucial property in their applications. Hence, the shape memory effect of the carbon fiber–reinforced shape memory polymer composite beam under the finite deformation is also studied here. The findings can be used to provide guidance for the design and application of the carbon fiber–reinforced shape memory polymer composites and their structures.