The functional properties of composites with embedded shape memory wires are directly related to the generation of recovery stresses by prestrained shape memory wires. These wires operate during heating against the elastic stiffness of the matrix material. However, quantitative experimental data on the generation of recovery stresses by shape memory wires, matching these complex constraining conditions, are absent in literature. Therefore, the stresses generated by neat shape memory wires have been studied in detail. The thermomechanical conditions applied in these experiments were similations of the biasing and temperature conditions in polymer composites with embedded shape memory wires. Parameters of the experiment were prestrain of the shape memory wires and two additional parameters to simulate the effect of thermal expansion and stiffness of matrix materials. The influence of these parameters on the generated recovery stresses and on the hysteresis obtained in cyclic experiments has been examined. The results are helpful to understand the functional behavior of composites with embedded shape memory wires. The data can also be used for the experimental verification of modeling procedures for such composites. Some interesting results on stabilization of the shape memory behavior during thermomechanical cycling are also described in the paper.
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