Finite Element Simulation of 3d-Printed SMA-SMP Composite Actuators

The shape memory alloy-shape memory polymer (SMA-SMP) composite actuators are the novel smart actuator designs which capable of large recoverable actuation deformation as well as retaining shape in the actuated state without consuming extra energy. This is particularly doable because of the recent progresses in additive manufacturing technologies. The 4D printed actuators designed in the previous study [7] are fabricated by multi-material inkjet 3D printing and is able to deposit various range of digital materials with different elastic stiffness in micro-scale. In this study, we have developed the numerical simulation of the 4D-printed composite actuator hinges to determine important actuation parameters and develop a design tool for future applications. The three-dimensional finite element models were conducted in ABAQUS and the nonlinear temperature dependence behaviour of shape memory alloy (SMA) and shape memory polymer (SMP) materials are incorporated through the user material subroutines (UMATs). The finite element results then have been compared with the experimental measurements and illustrate the accuracy of our numerical analysis. Therefore, the validated computational framework could be used for further development of actuators that could generate complex deformations.