Composites Part B 324 (2026) 113870

Keywords:Shape memory polymer composites, Shape memory properties, Space deployable structure, Hinge

This study introduces a shape memory polymer composite hinge design with an L-shaped initial configuration  (SMH-LSIC), which can be programmed into Ω-shaped and ━-shaped temporary configurations (SMH-ΩSTC and  SMH-━STC), facilitating the rotation of adjacent thick plates from 0 ◦ to 90 ◦ and from 180 ◦ to 90 ◦ , respectively.  We aim to enable programmable multi-direction temporary configurations for thick-plate rotation via a compact  packaging format, provide theoretical support for hinge design by clarifying the coupled stress relaxation  characteristics and recovery torque, and enhance robustness through geometric compatibility that ensures tight  panel contact during folding and accurate deployment upon actuation. A method for predicting the driving  torque of SMH-ΩSTCs and SMH-━STCs was developed by analyzing the geometric relationships and the strain  energy stored in the hinge. This study optimizes hinge design via torque calculations, and prototypes of SMH-  ΩSTCs and SMH-━STCs were integrated into a cubic deployable structure and validated through ground tests,  with key performance metrics (recovery torque, driving duration, recovery ratio, and temperature distribution)  obtained. SMH-LSICs were configured as panel and wire hinges with different widths. Panel hinge structures  achieve superior deployment accuracy compared with wire-hinge systems, accompanied by a 25.3% reduction in  power consumption and a 43.1% increase in deployment speed. Both the hinge-driven thick plates and cubic  structures achieve high deployment accuracy, reaching 94.0% and 99.97%, respectively. The research of SMH-  LSICs demonstrate significant application potential across systems that require thick-plate deployment in  aerospace.

Yinhang Wang, Fengfeng Li, Haobo Wang, Xianyi Li, Liwu Liu, Yanju Liu, Jinsong Leng

Design and on-ground tests performances of L-shaped initial configuration hinges mechanism based on shape memory polymer composite.pdf