Numerical analysis of space deployable structure based on shape memory polymers

Shape memory polymers (SMPs) have been applied in aerospace engineering as deployable space structures. In this work, the coupled finite element method (FEM) was established based on the generalized Maxwell model and the time–temperature equivalence principle (TTEP). The thermodynamic behavior and shape memory effects of a single-arm deployment structure (F-DS) and four-arm deployment structure (F-DS) based on SMPs were analyzed using the coupled FEM. Good consistency was obtained between the experimental data and simulation data for the tensile and S-DS recovery forces, verifying that the coupled FEM can accurately and reliably describe the thermodynamic behavior and shape memory effects of the SMP structure. The step-by-step driving structure is suitable for use as a large-scale deployment structure in space. This coupled FEM provides a new direction for future research on epoxy SMPs.