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Shape memory materials (SMM) are able to sense a are a part of some consumer products [4]. As an adaptive
change in temperature and react by changing into a pre- material they can convert thermal energy into mechanical
scribed shape [1]. SMM have additional properties, which work. Until recently, SMM has been predominantly devel-
include pseudoelasticity or recoverable stroke (strain), high oped for applications for the biomedical and engineering
damping capacity and adaptive properties, which are due to industry [5]. A recent application for shape memory alloy
the ability to reverse the transformation during phase transi- (SMA) was a shirt designed by Corpo Nove, a fashion
tions. There are a variety of physical changes that SMM can house in Italy, which shortens its sleeves when the temper-
sense in their environment, including thermal, mechanical, ature rises and does not require ironing when stimulated
magnetic or electric. These physical factors are able to [6, 7]. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries have produced their
stimulate the shape memory effect (SME) enabling them own range of active sports clothing called Diaplex by
to respond and transform to a prescribed shape, position, applying a shape memory polymer (SMP) laminate [8].
strain, stiffness, natural frequency, damping, friction and The SMP laminate is placed between two layers of fabric,
other static and dynamic characteristics of material sys- creating a membrane, which is simultaneously waterproof,
tems. windproof and breathable. 1
SMM can be seen in a variety of materials such as alloys,
ceramics, polymers and gels. These have been explored and
developed as they demonstrate SME behavior [13]. These 1
Correspondence: tel.: +44 (0)113 343 3739; e-mail: y.chan-
materials have also been commercially developed as they vili@leeds.ac.uk
Textile Research Journal Vol 77(5): 290300 DOI: 10.1177/0040517507078794 www.trj.sagepub.com 2007 SAGE Publications
Figures 37 and 1125 appear in color online: http://trj.sagepub.com
There are a variety of factors which can stimulate transform into the prescribed shape at the stimulant tem-
SMM, including electric current, solar energy, magnetic perature. SMA additionally can demonstrate super-elastic-
energy and heat produced by changes in body temperature. ity (SE), which is a pseudo-elasticity that occurs above As.
Despite the recognition of the importance of SMM, their Upon a force or load the alloy can deform and when
use has almost exclusively been applied for industrial prod- relieved the material will voluntarily regain its original
ucts for enhancing their performance and functionality. form at a stable temperature. This phenomenon can take
Their aesthetic attributes have yet to be recognized and place without assistance of heat. SME and SE have a close
this project was set up to explore the area of aesthetics of association with the martensitic transformation. SME and
SMM. The two types of SMM applied to this research are SE are in general characteristically thermoelastic transfor-
SMA and SMP. The unique shape recovery of the SMM mations.
inspired the aesthetic development of the materials. The
change of shape wanted to be enhanced within the woven
structure, thus the object of the designs were to enhance
this movement. The design aspect of the research was the
The Principle of SMP
focus, wherein the characteristics of the SMM motivated
the designs of this research. Rubber can expand several times under stress and return
to its original shape and length almost immediately when
the stress has been removed and if it has not been
deformed beyond its yield point. At room temperature
The Principle of SMA rubber shows an elastic property however, elasticity is lost
at temperatures below 196C. Consequently, the elon-
The deformation mechanism of SMA consists of a crystal gated shape is fixed and cannot return to its original shape,
lattice structure. The SME of the material is due to the provided that the temperature is kept below its glass transi-
martensitic phase transformation (MPT). There are two tion temperature (Tg). The Tg is defined as a temperature
stable phases, a low-temperature phase called martensite above the performance of elasticity of a polymer, which
and a high-temperature phase called austenite. During the spontaneously decreases. Rigid polymers can demonstrate
martensite phase the SMA can be distorted into its prede- rubber-like characteristics, as shown in Figure 2. In this fig-
termined shape. In addition, the alloy can regain its origi- ure the slope of the temperature curve adjusts, as at Tg.
nal shape by the reverse transformation upon heating to a During the rubber state, a three-dimensional polymer net-
critical temperature called the reverse transformation tem- work remembers the original form and during the glass
perature (As) [1]. Figure 1 illustrates an example of the state inter-chain interactions are firmly positioned in the
MPT. temporary form.
The training of the SMA comprises a procedure of repet- As with SMP, when heated above the Tg it can be
itive heating and rapid quenching to permit a permanent deformed in shape. If it is then cooled to below its Tg and
relationship between the two stable phases. On completion retained at the deformed shape, the form is subsequently
of this procedure, the SMA is capable of remembering to made permanent. During the rigid state elasticity is low,
Table 2 A summary of the tensile test results comparing polymer blends with pure SMP.
Disp. at Ave. disp.
Load at Ave. load Ave. load Disp. at Ave. disp. Disp. at Ave. disp.
yield at yield Load at
Sample yield at yield at peak peak at peak fracture at fracture
point point peak (N)
point (N) point (N) (N) (mm) (mm) (mm) (mm)
(mm) (mm)
Pure SMP 2.00 7.00 6.073 183.3 183.5
2.05 7.00 2.017 6.333 6.054 9.241 194.5 193.28 198.0 196.13
2.00 5.00 6.354 202.0 206.9
PP Blend 0.2 7 1.403 26.42 52.8
0.2 8.5 0.938 58.3 67.85
0.255 14.625 1.107 57.98 92.34
0.22 18 1.146 21.91 122.3
0.4 25 0.941 125.3 126.4
Nylon 12 0.2 7.5 1.109 67.03 70.99
Blend 0.03 3 0.88 48.04 50.48
0.16 5.375 1.067 79.95 83.89
0.29 6 1.213 96.73 104.6
0.12 5 1.064 108.0 109.5
below ambient, the woven structure would transform into a tile. Figure 25 displays a Smart textile simulated as a win-
closed structure and function as an insulator, permitting dow treatment.
the room to become warmer. In contrast, if the tempera- These textile applications would be valuable as part of a
ture was above ambient the shape memory structure would Smart network within an interior space [13]. Shape mem-
open and allow air to freely circulate around the space to ory textiles offers Smart interiors and standard interiors
sustain a cooler temperature in the room. with additional benefits by performing as a decorative fea-
Sunlight can be utilized to stimulate SMM, hence this ture and a functional textile. Unlike conventional static
factor can be employed for window treatment applications textiles, the utilization of Smart textiles has the ability to
whereby the textile would adapt to its environment. The respond and adapt to environmental conditions as well as
engineering of a shape memory window treatment that is modifying the function of the space and also being aesthet-
sensitive to sunlight would consequently open the woven ically pleasing.
structure to allow sunlight to penetrate the room during
the day (Figure 24) and the woven structure would close at
night. Furthermore, the woven structure could also be pro-
grammed to partially close and lessen glare in the interior
Discussion and Conclusions
of the room if there was excessive sunlight through the tex-
This research reflects the successful formation of a multi-
disciplinary team, merging unorthodox techniques and
materials to design and produce innovative and dynamic
Smart woven textiles. The textiles industry is becoming
increasingly aware of the demand for technological innova-
tive textiles and its significance in an adaptable market. In
this research intensive fiber, yarn and fabric development
has been developed, manufactured, and further developed
into Smart interior textiles.
SMP is a challenging polymer to process. Although a
preliminary investigation to improve the mechanical prop-
erties was not as successful as anticipated, an adequate
SMP fiber was still produced for this research, which was
further enhanced into a yarn formation. Following thermal
treatment, the SMA transformed into a continuous coil
shape and continued to do so within a yarn formation.
Shape memory yarn formations incorporated into the
woven structure has transformed conventional static tex-
Figure 24 Window treatment. tiles and rejuvenated Smart woven textiles. The strain of
the SME was not thoroughly tested as the main objectives