Vibrational response of adaptive composites

Composite laminates containing pre-deformed NiTiCu wires embedded in an epoxy matrix reinforced with Kevlar fibres were manufactured and tested. These materials change their properties, for example vibration resonance frequency or modulus in response to a temperature variation. When heated by direct electrical current above the transformation temperature, the pre-deformed shape memory alloy (SMA) wires try to recover their shape and since they are restrained by a stiff matrix and clamping, a stress is created. As a result, a change in the resonance frequency of the composite occurs. The magnitude of the recovery stress and corresponding resonance frequency shift was found to increase with the SMA wire volume fraction and to decrease with the thickness of the host composite layers between the wires and the constraining grips.