Electrothermal properties of short carbon fiber/PLA composite structure and its fast response behavior

Abstract In this study, a new short carbon fiber (SCF) composite structure with electric triggering shape memory properties is developed. The SCF is cast on poly (lactic acid) substrate, then encapsulated by polyvinyl alcohol after drying and molding. In the experiment, the conductivity of the short carbon fiber/PLA sample with 5 mm conductive soft segment and 0.1 mm thickness diamond grid reached the 87.3 S/m, and the temperature of the substrate is higher than its glass transition temperature under 3 V voltage, indicating that the electric heating manner is feasible and stable. The shape recovery rate of the composite structure reaches 91.36%, and the shape memory deformation time is 18 s. This study provides a low‐cost and efficient preparation method for SCF reinforced composite structure, which is promoting the development and application of electric triggering shape memory polymers.