Development and testing of a self-deformed composite material

A multifunctional – hybrid – composite material that incorporates carbon and glass fibres embedded into an epoxy matrix was developed. This material can be made to undergo a shape change without inserting activators. This is accomplished by selective heating of the embedded carbon fibres through the application of an electric current (Joule effect). The resulting shape change was determined and the stresses generated during heating were measured via a 3-point bending device. The possibility of using the reinforcing fibres of a multi-directional composite as activators for inducing specific deformation modes is discussed.