Nonlinear Thermo-Mechanical Behaviour Analysis of Activated Composites With Shape Memory Alloy Fibres

General thermo-mechanical behavior of composites reinforced by shape memory alloy fibers is predicted using a three-dimensional analytical micromechanical method to consider the effect of fibers activation. Composite due to the micromechanical method can be exposed to general normal and shear mechanical and thermal loading which cause to activate the shape memory alloy fibers within polymeric matrix finally. Considering the capabilities of the presented micromechanical model; the fibers arrangement within the matrix is simulated as square distribution. Representative volume element of the composite system consists of two-phases including shape memory alloys fibers and polymeric matrix which is exposed to axial cyclic mechanical loading. In order to display the effect of fiber activation on the overall response of composite, the behavior of polymeric matrix is assumed elastic and shape memory alloy fibers is considered nonlinear inelastic based on 3-D Lagoudas model is simulated. The model is capable to predict the phase transformation and super elastic behavior of shape memory alloys. In order to develop thermo-mechanical equations of the shape memory alloy in the unit cell model, Newton-Raphson nonlinear numerical solution method is used. In the results, the effects of significant parameters on the thermo-mechanical response of composites are investigated and then the composite thermo-mechanical response is demonstrated in the high and low temperature interval and the effect of shape memory alloy wire activation in the composite is addressed. The presented results show that the composite residual strain in mechanical unloading decreases by enhancing temperature. Therefore, the composite residual strain approaches to zero when the temperature is higher than at which austenite transformation finishes. Comparison between the present research results with available previous researches shows good agreement.