High-strain-fabric shape-memory composite
Shape-memory composites are made with resins whose qualities have been altered to give them dynamic properties. Under thermal stimuli, shape-memory polymers exhibit a radical change from a rigid polymer to a very elastic state then back to a rigid state again.
Veritex is similar to other high-performance composites, except that it uses a high-strain fabric with Veriflex shape-memory resin as the matrix. Fabrication with Veriflex allows easy manipulation of the composite above the activation temperature and high strength and stiffness at lower temperatures. Veritex capitalizes on the ability of Veriflex resin to quickly soften and harden repeatedly. When heated above its activation temperature, Veritex becomes pliable and can easily be reformed into various shapes. When cooled and restrained in its new shape, Veritex regains its structural stiffness and keeps its new shape. If reheated again, Veritex will return to its original memory shape.
Contact: Cornerstone Research Group Inc., Dayton, OH, USA.
For more information, see Transmaterial 2: A Catalog of Materials That Redefine our Physical Environment
