The fundamentals of designing deployable structures with elastic memory composites

Abstract

Elastic Memory Composite (EMC) materials exhibit many favorable qualities for deployable space structures and have piqued a broad interest within America's deployable space structures industry. EMC materials are similar to traditional fiber-reinforced composites except for the use of a thennoset shape memory resin that enables much higher packaging strains than traditional composites without damage to the fibers or the resin. This unique capability is being exploited in the development of very effcicnt EMC structural components for deployable spacecraft systems. The present paper is intended primarily to help deployable system designers develop a better understanding of the special capabilities of EMC materials, and the unique considerations that must be applied when engineering structural components with these materials. Specifically, the paper discusses: 1) the impacts of incorporating EMC materials on deployable system design, 2) analyses for packaging strain, deployment time, and deployment energy; and 3) requirements and concepts for heating systems.

Recent advances in shape memory epoxy resins and composites

“…SMEP composites are promising candidate materials for various parts of space (e.g., solar arrays, antennas, booms, deployable panels, reflectors) [56][57][58] and aircrafts (different morphing concepts for wing parts and skins) [59,60]. This is owing to their good SM properties, excellent stiffness, strength, and environmental durability.…”

“…The packaging/deployment, however, should be adjusted to the composites's properties. This requires the understanding of the failure during "packaging," i.e., setting and fixing of the temporary shape [60].…”

Design of Deployable Lightweight Antenna for Satellite SAR

“…SMP(Shape Memory Polymer)는 열을 이용하여 구조물의 형상을 패키징 및 초기 경화 상태로 만들 수 있는 재료이 다 [15] . EMC(Elastic Memory Composites)는 다른 재료에 비 해 효율적으로 패키징을 할 수 있고, 높은 강도, 탄성력, 낮은 밀도를 가지는 재료이다 [16] . …”

Development of a Passively Deployed Roll-Out Solar Array

“…To date, TEMBO ® EMC materials have been fabricated into a variety of components for deployable structures, including laminated plates and shells, open-grid lattices, pultruded rods, and hinges, so many possible EMC structural-component designs could be considered. 8 The combination of TEMBO ® EMC structural components with TFPV cells creates the potential of revolutionizing the design of deployable solar arrays. TEMBO ® EMC structural components could eliminate the need for highly complex deployment mechanisms, massive launch canisters, and deployment-control systems, while TFPV arrays enable the use of simple packaging and deployment techniques.…”