Adaptive fiber-reinforced plastics based on open reed weaving and tailored fiber placement technology

Abstract

The textile-technical integration of shape memory alloys into reinforcing fabrics for the development of adaptive fiber-reinforced plastics (FRPs) has been developed in recent years. This is aimed at reproduction, automation, and series production as well as reduced delamination of shape memory alloys in FRPs, and higher force transmission from shape memory alloys to FRPs. This type of integration can be executed in several ways, for example, by weaving or by tailored fiber placement technology. We present a comparative study of the functional properties of adaptive FRPs based on both types of technology. In order to conduct this study, functionalized reinforcing fabrics for the formation of adaptive FRPs were produced by open reed weaving and tailored fiber placement technology. Subsequently, they were infused by means of a thermosetting resin system. After the fabrication of adaptive FRPs, their functional properties were characterized and evaluated. Results show that the maximum deformation of adaptive FRPs produced by open reed weaving technology was higher than those produced by tailored fiber placement technology. Therefore, the adaptive FRPs produced by open reed weaving technology are more suitable for the formation of grippers, aerodynamically effective flaps, or robotic hands than that of adaptive FRPs produced by tailored fiber placement technology.