Theoretical studies on microbuckling mode of elastic memory composites

Elastic memory composites (EMCs) have great potential applications in future deployable space structures due to their high packaging strain and shape memory characteristics. Microbuckling of compressed fibers is the primary deformation mechanism of such structures to receive a higher packaging strain than that of traditional fiber-reinforced composites. In order to have a better understanding of such deformation mechanism, the microbuckling model of EMC laminates under bending is analyzed firstly. Then the theoretical critical microbuckling parameters are predicted, which are compared with experimental observations and other models.