Design and analysis of smart diaphragm based on shape memory polymer

Currently, tank diaphragms are mostly applied in the field of aerospace but one of their limitations have to do with their inability to recycle. In the article, we discussed the modeling of a new kind of reversible diaphragm, so‐called shape memory polymer (SMP) diaphragm. A thermo‐mechanical modeling of SMP is implemented by the finite element method using a constitutive model. A single variable in this model is defined and used to simplify the model compared to other existing models. Evolution of the analysis is conducted by making use of the intermediate difference forms and Jacobian matrix, which is applied to all quantities within the model. The overturning and recovery behaviors of the SMP diaphragm are examined. And, the effect of several parameters, including thickness, height and radius of the diaphragm, as well as temperature on the overturning performance are investigated. This study led to the establishment of an optimized model with the objective function requiring minimum overturning pressure for completing deformation and design variables associated with thickness, height, radius, and temperature. An optimized SMP diaphragm is obtained under the critical pressure constraints. The results contribute to the design and application of novel SMP diaphragms. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46557.