Analysis on temperature-dependent deployment behavior of bi-stable composite rods

Bi-stable composite rods attract many researchers to investigate the mechanical and deployment behaviors for possible application to space deployable structures. Operation requires the bi-stable composites to be in a compact form prior to deployment. The deployment behavior is influenced by the storage conditions and the environmental temperature, of which, the latter is focused on in the present study. This study utilizes plain woven carbon fabrics composites to make bi-stable composites. Temperature-dependent mechanical properties of bi-stable composites are measured, and temperature-dependent deployment forces of bi-stable rods are evaluated using analytical formulations and finite element simulations with the measured properties.