Shape recovery and mechanical properties investigation of carbon fiber dispersed bisphenol-A based epoxy composite

Shape memory polymers (SMPs) are employed in a wide range of fields because to their appealing properties, which include low density, low production costs, and ease of processing. In the present work, SMP composites were developed using ultrasonic mixing of carbon fiber (CF) and amorphous epoxy to enhance the properties of epoxy and shape memory effect. The prepared composites were tested for mechanical and shape memory properties. Flexural strength and tensile strength of pristine epoxy enhanced after dispersing 1% CF which are about 12.7% and 16.2%, respectively, higher than pristine epoxy. Fracture toughness of epoxy improves after adding 1% CF which is about 94.05% higher compared to pristine epoxy. UV–vis-NIR showed reduction in energy bandgap. Shape fixity and shape recovery ratios for pristine epoxy was 98.49% and 93.40%, respectively. These ratios decrease to 90.52% and 87.86%, respectively with addition of 1.5 wt.% CF. However, recovery time improves from 57 s to 33 s with addition of 1.5 wt.% CF in epoxy. Shape recovery rate enhances with CF reinforcement in epoxy composite.