Numerical and experimental investigation of self-rigidizable Kapton-SMA-based boom

The gossamer space structures can be stowed effortlessly because of a lack of out-of-plane stiffness, but structural strength is needed on partial or complete out-gassing to maintain their deployed state. This study demonstrates a novel approach to producing a self-maintaining shape ability of an inflatable cylindrical boom using heat-actuated SMA wires when the inflation gas is vented out from the assembly after complete deployment. Kapton-based and Kapton-SMA-based booms are analyzed numerically for bending stiffness under inflation and no-inflation pressure, followed by experimental validation. At this end, a customized heat test chamber is developed to conduct the required experiments. Furthermore, a parametric study is also performed to find the effect of materials and design parameters on the boom’s stiffness. Before all, the non-linear behavior of double-layered laminated Kapton is found by curve fitting of stretch test data with the optimized different material model parameters to find the best-fitted material model under the hyperelastic materials category. The study helps to find the membrane behavior and rigidization of the inflatable boom in a reversible manner.