Smart Materials Flashcards
What is carbon fibre and how is it made
Carbon Fibre is similar to fibre glass. Carbon fibre is woven into a textile material and resin such as epoxy resin is applied and allowed to cure. The resulting material that is very strong as it has the best strength to weight ration of all construction materials. It is an improvement on glass fibre reinforced plastic, although much more expensive.
What is polymorph and how is it formed
Polymorph is a thermo plastic that can be shaped and reshaped numerous times. It is normally supplied as small granules. When heated to 62 degrees the granules form and mass of clear material. After that it can be shaped into almost any form and when cooled it becomes and solid material, like nylon. Although expensive, polymorph is suitable for 3D modelling as it can be shaped by hand or pressed into a shape through the use of a mould.
What are the uses of carbon fibre
Where strong light materials are required for sports cars CFRP is used. Expensive, competition bicycles and motorbikes tend to have CFRP frames, forks, handlebars to keep weight to a minimum and yet retain great strength. The aerospace industry have used CFRP in the manufacture of planes
What is thermo chromatic plastic
Thermochromic inks change colour in response to changes in temperature. These inks have serious applications such as in the food industry. They can be used to indicate when a packaged food has reached the correct temperature in an oven. They are also used in forehead thermometers.
What is Nitinol
Nitinol is formally known as SMA wire. It is called Nitinol because it is composed of nickel and titanium. It is just like any ordain dry wire however it has extra properties. It can be folded to form complex shapes quite easily and it conducts electricity. But it is more expensive when compared to ordinary steel or copper wire.
What are Nitinol’s extra properties
- The wire has a memory - for example, if it is folded to form a shape and then heated above 90 degrees it returns to its original shape.
- The wire can be programmed into remembering a shape. By clamping it into a shape and heated for 5 mins at 150 degrees. It will then be able to be turned back into that programmed shape by putting it into hot water.
