Origami principles can be efficiently exploited in the development of foldable structures when composite materials are used. In this study, glass fiber reinforced polymer composites (FRPCs) with dual-matrix system (epoxy-elastomer) was successfully used to manufacture folding hinge with four different sizes such as 3, 6, 9 and 12 mm. In addition, the glass fabric was coated with rGO to serve also as a piezoresistive sensor to monitor the folding and unfolding process. A cost-effective hot compression molding process was used to fabricate multiple samples in one batch and processing of laminate was monitored using in-situ measurement of resistance change. Then, the folding hinges were tested in single and 4 cycles tests. Moment-curvature and fractional changes in resistance (FCR) were simultaneously recorded in these tests. The results demonstrated that the folding region size in such structures plays a significant role in the electromechanical performance. Smaller folding region sizes of 3 mm and 6 mm demonstrated a higher value of FCR, and moment as compared to the 9 mm and 12 mm. It is concluded that these sizes shall be carefully selected in the design and development of origami-inspired deployable composite structures.

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Characterizing Origami-Inspired Piezoresistive Folds for Foldable Composite Structures

  • Kamran A. Khan,
  • Israr Ud Din,
  • Rajasekar Ramachandran

摘要

Origami principles can be efficiently exploited in the development of foldable structures when composite materials are used. In this study, glass fiber reinforced polymer composites (FRPCs) with dual-matrix system (epoxy-elastomer) was successfully used to manufacture folding hinge with four different sizes such as 3, 6, 9 and 12 mm. In addition, the glass fabric was coated with rGO to serve also as a piezoresistive sensor to monitor the folding and unfolding process. A cost-effective hot compression molding process was used to fabricate multiple samples in one batch and processing of laminate was monitored using in-situ measurement of resistance change. Then, the folding hinges were tested in single and 4 cycles tests. Moment-curvature and fractional changes in resistance (FCR) were simultaneously recorded in these tests. The results demonstrated that the folding region size in such structures plays a significant role in the electromechanical performance. Smaller folding region sizes of 3 mm and 6 mm demonstrated a higher value of FCR, and moment as compared to the 9 mm and 12 mm. It is concluded that these sizes shall be carefully selected in the design and development of origami-inspired deployable composite structures.