Investigation of stress relaxation behavior of carbon-containing shape memory epoxy composites

Abstract

A series of shape memory epoxy composites reinforced by varied carbon-black (CB) contents were prepared. Stress relaxation tests were preformed to characterize the viscoelastic behavior of the specimens at different temperatures. An empirical rheological model was used to simulate the impacts of the temperature and CB content on the viscoelastic behavior of the materials. The results show that the additive of CB particles can significantly improve the stiffness and decrease viscoelastic properties of shape memory epoxy. In addition, parameter analyses in the theoretical simulation present a further understanding about the impact of the additives on the properties of SMPs. Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.