Enabling Rapid Filler‐Free Magnetic Actuation of Shape Memory Polymer Composites Using Woven Carbon Fabrics as Eddy Current Susceptor

Magnetic induction heating (MIH) can trigger shape recovery in shape memory polymer composites, but conventional MIH often needs magnetic fillers that are hard to disperse and do not reinforce the material. This study proposes a filler-free MIH approach for carbon fiber reinforced SMPCs by using woven carbon fabrics themselves to generate eddy currents for heating. The authors compare different laminate lay-ups (non-hybrid vs hybrid combinations of 0° and 45° plies) and evaluate mechanical behavior, MIH behavior, and shape memory response. The hybrid 45°/0°/45° laminate is reported as optimal: it addresses bending-induced damage seen in 0°-dominant designs while maintaining higher strength. It also achieves faster actuation, reaching full shape recovery in 30 s versus 80 s for a 45°/45°/45° laminate, attributed to improved eddy-current generation and increased stored elastic energy during shape fixation.