Abstract
In order to develop the new function of the shape memory materials, the shape memory composite (SMC) with the shape memory alloy (SMA) and the shape memory polymer (SMP) was fabricated, and the three-way bending motion and recovery force were investigated. The results obtained can be summarized as follows. (1) Two kinds of SMA tapes which show the shape memory effect (SME) and superelasticity (SE) were heat-treated to memorize the round shape. The shape-memorized round SMA tapes were arranged facing in the opposite directions and were sandwiched between the SMP sheets. The SMC belt can be fabricated by using the appropriate factors: the number of SMP sheets, the pressing force, the heating temperature and the holding time. (2) The three-way bending movement in the fabricated SMC belt is observed based on the SME and SE of the SMA tapes and the glass transition of the SMP sheet during heating and cooling. (3) If the SMC belt is heated and cooled by keeping the bent form, the recovery force increases during heating and decreases during cooling based on the three-way properties of the SMC. (4) The development and application of high-functional SMCs are expected by the combination of the SMA and the SMP with various kinds of phase transformation temperatures, volume fractions, configurations and heating-cooling rates.
