Experimental Study and Numerical Simulation of Morphing Characteristics of Bistable Laminates Embedded with 4D Printed Shape Memory Polymers

Abstract The morphing characteristics of bistable laminates embedded with 4D printed shape memory polymers are investigated. Bistable laminates have potential applications in soft robotics due to their two stable states and ability to deform through both snap-through and snap-back processes. For example, a bistable laminate is triggered to snap back by a pneumatic-actuated method that allows it to grip objects. By reducing the snap-back load and increasing the snap-through load, the bistable laminate can be more easily driven to deform while maintaining good stiffness in its first stable state. 4D printed shape memory polymers have shape memory and recovery, A design method for suppressing and controlling the deformation of bistable laminates using 4D printed shape memory polymers is proposed in this paper. A numerical model of viscoelasticity of the laminate is established to study its deformation characteristics, and the numerical results are compared with experimental results with good agreement. The effect of shape memory polymers on the snap load and principal curvature of bistable laminates is also investigated. Finally, the interlayer interface bonding of the bistable laminates is examined in microscopic perspective. The results demonstrate that 4D printed shape memory polymers can effectively enhance the snap-through load and reduce the snap-back load of bistable laminates, achieving deformation suppression and control while maintaining good interlaminar bonding with carbon fiber composites. This study provides new insights and practical significance for the deformation suppression and active control of bistable structures.