Organic‐montmorillonite modified shape memory epoxy composite

A series of organic‐montmorillonite (OMMT) modified shape memory epoxy (SMEP) composites were prepared for the purpose of application on space deployable structures. Tensile test, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and fold‐deploy shape memory test methods were used to characterize the mechanical, structure, and shape memory properties of these materials. The results showed addition of OMMT could improve the composites' toughness, tensile strength, transition temperature, and shape recovery speed, while shape recovery ratio was unaffected. Composite with 3wt%. OMMT had the optimum combination property. It could fully recover its original shape in about 2 min at 185°C under the maximum bending angle of 180°. Its elongation at break and tensile strength were increased by 835 and 17.4%, respectively, compared to that of neat SMEP. The transition temperature also slightly increased.