Epoxy resin, which demonstrates a shape memory effect, is reinforced by chopped carbon fibers (CCFs) to improve the thermal and mechanical properties. The interfacial interactions between 2-mm-long CCFs and epoxy make an impact on not only molecular motion but also the physical behaviors of CCFs/epoxy composites. In particular, shape recovery ability of CCFs/epoxy composites is enhanced with an increase in thermal conductivity generated by crossing CCFs in the epoxy system, although CCFs/epoxy composites containing small amounts of CCFs, such as 1 or 3 phr (parts per hundred rubber), show slower recovery rates than those of raw epoxy specimens due to the difficulty of making heat bridges in composites. With these results, it is confirmed that for specific time-dependent purpose, the shape recovery vector of CCFs/epoxy can be controlled using the amount of CCFs.

Shape recovery characteristics of shape memory epoxy composites reinforced with chopped carbon fibers
    Abstract
    Acknowledgements 
    References

• Miseon Park(Composite Laboratory, Agency for Defense Development)
• Yeontae Kim(Composite Laboratory, Agency for Defense Development)
• Jin Ok Hwang(Composite Laboratory, Agency for Defense Development)
• Jong Kyoo Park(Composite Laboratory, Agency for Defense Development)