2526 Fabrication of Multifunctional Mechanical Material Systems

Abstract

Two typical examples of the multifunctional mechanical material systems classified into two types due to innovative processing and designing concept are introduced in this study. As the Type I material system, that is, a composite of a fragile functional material and a reliable metal matrix, the metal-cae piezoelectric ceramic (PZT) fiber/aluminum composite was successfully fabricated by the interphase forming/bonding method without fracture, and its sensing capability of vibration was clarified. As the Type II material system, that is, a composite of competitive mechanical materials, of which common properties are maintained and the other dissimilar properties conflict with each other and generate functions, the CFRP/aluminum active laminate was selected. Its high performance type was fabricated by sandwiching a sheet of elastomer between two conventional and single active laminates, and it was found that it doubled the output force of the single active laminate without sacrifice of its actuation capability.