Shape Memory Polymer Composite Actuator: Modeling Approach for Preliminary Design and Validation

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

I think the argument of the paper is of interest for the readers of Actuators, the experimental design is sound and well described, and the manuscript is well written. Therefore, I recommend publication.

My main concern deals with the Introductory section, which is a bit redudant, therefore I suggest to shrink it a little bit as follows.

Lines 1-59: In my opinion, this part of introduction related to SMA is overly detailed, and not pertinent with shape memory polymers, which are the focus of the paper. I suggest to reduce it.

Lines 60-81: This section is very descriptive, but lacking of any literature reference. I suggest to introduce some recent general review paper, such as:
- Hager, M. D., Bode, S., Weber, C., & Schubert, U. S. (2015). Shape memory polymers: past, present and future developments. Progress in Polymer Science, 49, 3-33.

Lines 108-109: In this framework, recent papers addressing the modeling of the mechanical behavior of multilayered SMP devices should be also recalled, such as:
- Belmonte, A., Lama, G. C., Gentile, G., Cerruti, P., Ambrogi, V., Fernández-Francos, X., & De la Flor, S. (2017). Thermally-triggered free-standing shape-memory actuators. European Polymer Journal, 97, 241-252.
- Belmonte, A., Lama, G. C., Cerruti, P., Ambrogi, V., Fernández-Francos, X., & De la Flor, S. (2018). Motion control in free-standing shape-memory actuators. Smart Materials and Structures, 27(7), 075013.

Figure 2 legend: the SMP ply is in between the two pre-pregs, not on the top.

Table 1: Is the Young modulus of the SMP at 120 °C correct? Was there a mixup?
Figure 9: It may be useful to explicitly state what's the number of carbon fabric plies Figure 9 refers to.

Figure 13: Please highlight the loading and unloading on the micro-strain vs time curve.

Author Response

Dear Reviewer

many thanks for your comments. We updated the manuscript and listed our modifications in the attached file

With best regards

Salvatore

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

The paper is focused on the modeling of actuator based on SMP. It has interest in different applications, specifically in those that the weight is a critical parameter. The paper seems appropriate for the magazine.

 

As for improving the paper, I think the introduction should be summarized, which is a bit long.

Likewise, the grammatical errors are minimal, please check the manuscript. For example, on line 58 there is a missing "and" or "..." to finish the sentence.

In the 404, I recommend using analyzer. There are few mistakes.

In figure 2 the SMP is not in the top.

The difference between SMP and SMA described in lines 71, 72 and 73, especially in what refers to SMP, is a little bit confusing.

The claim that commercial prepregs show a slight memory of form is a bit risky and I do not know how justifies the use of epoxy powder. (lines 143, 144 and 145). It does not explain very well where the shape memory comes from, although the objective of the paper is different.

 

Author Response

Dear Reviewer

many thanks for your comments. We updated the manuscript and listed our modifications in the attached file

With best regards

Salvatore

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf