An investigation on laser-triggered shape memory behaviors of hydro-epoxy/carbon black composites

A series of novel laser-triggered shape memory composites were prepared by using hydro-epoxy resin (HEP) as matrix with non-filled, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 wt% carbon black. The influences of CB content, material thickness and laser power density on laser-triggered shape memory behaviors of composites were investigated systematically. The results indicated that CB particles had a better photothermal conversion effect on 1.064 μm near-infrared laser, and shape recovery ratio of CB/HEP composites were above 97%. Besides, with the increase of CB content, the growth trends of shape recovery ratio remained unchanged, but increased with the decrease of material thickness and the increase of power density. It was also shown that the HEP polymer with non-filled CB occurred shape recovery behavior under irradiating of 10.64 μm mid-infrared laser. According to above basic researches, multiple intermediate shapes can be get because of spatial controllable of laser-triggered, which is an appealing feature that cannot be obtained from thermal-activated SMPs based on a bulk thermal effect.