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MECHANICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF SHAPE MEMORY POLYMERS TO ASSESS CANDIDACY AS MORPHING AIRCRAFT SKIN

Gross, Korey Edward (2009) MECHANICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF SHAPE MEMORY POLYMERS TO ASSESS CANDIDACY AS MORPHING AIRCRAFT SKIN. Master's Thesis, University of Pittsburgh. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

This thesis presents the results of research with the purpose of determining the mechanical properties of shape memory polymers and evaluating the material's potential use as a morphing aircraft skin. Morphing aircraft undergo large scale deformations to their wing planforms in order to perform better in different types of missions. The skin on the wing must be ductile enough to stretch but remain strong enough to withstand out of plane aerodynamic loads. Shape memory polymers exhibit large decreases in their elastic modulii when heated above a glass transition temperature which allows them to withstand large strains. This ability has lead to the belief that shape memory polymers could perform well as morphing aircraft skins. Several tests that reveal mechanical properties important to a morphing wing skin are performed on a commercially available shape memory polymer and the results are presented and discussed in this study.iv

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Details

Item Type: University of Pittsburgh ETD
Status: Unpublished
Creators/Authors:
CreatorsEmailPitt UsernameORCID
Gross, Korey Edwardkorey.e.gross@gmail.com
ETD Committee:
TitleMemberEmail AddressPitt UsernameORCID
Committee ChairWeiland, Lisalweiland@engr.pitt.eduLMW36
Committee MemberVipperman, Jeffrey Sjsv@pitt.eduJSV
Committee MemberClark, William Wwclark@engr.pitt.eduWCLARK
Date: 28 January 2009
Date Type: Completion
Defense Date: 31 July 2008
Approval Date: 28 January 2009
Submission Date: 14 October 2008
Access Restriction: No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately.
Institution: University of Pittsburgh
Schools and Programs: Swanson School of Engineering > Mechanical Engineering
Degree: MSME - Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering
Thesis Type: Master's Thesis
Refereed: Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords: flexural modulus; shape memory polymer; tensile modulus; creep; morphing aircraft
Other ID: http://etd.library.pitt.edu/ETD/available/etd-10142008-140229/, etd-10142008-140229
Date Deposited: 10 Nov 2011 20:03
Last Modified: 19 Dec 2016 14:37
URI: http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/9466

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