Thermomechanical Analysis of the Shape Memory Effect of a Polyurethane Composite Used to Create Deployable Space Structures

The possible applicability of a three-point bending clamp of a thermomechanical analyzer to study the shape memory effect of a structural polyurethane composite is studied. The viscoelastic properties of the sample in the region of the transition from the glass to the highly elastic state are studied. The parameters affecting recovery rate R r of the original shape and fixation rate R f of the temporary shape are determined. Deformation and cooling conditions that allow one to achieve the values R r = 99.98% and R f = 99.70% are established for the polyurethane composite.