Structure integrated shape memory polymer composites for multidimensional forming

¹ Cluster of Excellence MERGE, Technische Universität Chemnitz, 09107 Chemnitz, Germany
² Institute of Lightweight Structures, Technische Universität Chemnitz, 09107 Chemnitz, Germany

^a Corresponding author: tristan.timmel@mb.tu-chemnitz.de

Abstract

Large-scale curved structures such as wind turbine wings usually require a special and cost intensive transport to the installation destination. These transport and installation costs can be reduced by a flat transport condition and the possibility of layering several structural components. For this reason, the focus at the Department of Lightweight Structures and Polymer Technology at TU Chemnitz was on a novel active material composite, which enables resource-efficient mass production and has a new component architecture. The large-volume multidimensional curvature of the active structure could be achieved by using a shape memory polymer (SMP). The associated reduction of the specific investment costs, the use of materials and the possibility of an integrative design, can contribute to the fact that, for example, the small wind turbines will become an economically viable investment in the future. The active structure influencing was represented by means of a finite element simulation (FEM) for different material composites and could be verified by generic demonstrators regarding its validity.