Integration of shape memory alloy wires into fiber-reinforced thermoplastic-based metal/plastic laminates for multifunctional lightweight structures - "Smart Hybrid Laminates"

• Applicants: Professor Dr.-Ing. Hans-Georg Herrmann; Professor Dr.-Ing. Guntram Wagner
• Subject Area: Polymeric and Biogenic Materials and Derived Composites ; Synthesis and Properties of Functional Materials
• Term: since 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 506217074

The aim of the project is to research a lightweight construction material based on a layered compound consisting of light metal layers, fiber-reinforced thermoplastic layers and integrated wires of a shape memory alloy (SMA). The production of these "Smart Hybrid Laminates" (SHL) takes place through a thermoforming process, which was already being fundamentally researched by the applicants and allows for a good scalability and molding of components in composite fabrication. The targeted integrated functionalities are to be realized with commercially available variants of SMA wires made out of NiTi. SMA offer sensory functions as well as high energy absorption as a result of the phase transformation and pronounced stress-strain hysteresis, respectively. This qualifies the SMA for integration into lightweight structures. In addition to the implementation of sensory functions, the scientific questions in the project essentially focus on a suitable, process-specific integration of the functional elements in the structural materials. In dependence of the layup structure, the SHL are characterized in terms of sensor functionality, thermo-mechanical properties and applicability of non-destructive evaluation. The results offer a scientific basis for the integration of SMA-components into thermoplastic multi-material structures.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants