Design guideline of carbon fiber reinforced shape memory polymer laminates under finite deformation

Abstract

Continuous carbon fiber reinforced shape memory polymer laminates (CCF-SMPLs) hold broad application prospects due to their excellent comprehensive mechanical properties. However, owing to the extremely low allowable strain of carbon fibers, this material is typically used in small-deformation scenarios. This paper investigates the failure mechanism of CCF-SMPLs during axial tension under finite deformation conditions at 20°C, 100°C, and 155°C. Specifically, the laminates exhibit a mixed failure mode at medium and low temperatures; during high-temperature tension, the matrix strength decreases significantly, which easily induces interfacial damage. Studies combining theoretical and experimental methods show that the load-bearing capacity of CCF-SMPLs is related to temperature, carbon fiber orientation, and ply arrangement, and the variation in their load-bearing capacity presents a distinct nonlinear regularity. Therefore, to avoid material failure under finite deformation conditions, it is necessary to rationally design CCF-SMPLs laminates by comprehensively considering the above factors.