Shape Memory Epoxy Resin and Its Composites: From Materials to Applications

Abstract

Shape memory polymers (SMPs) have historically attracted attention for their unique stimulation-responsive and variable stiffness and have made notable progress in aerospace, civil industry, and other fields. In particular, epoxy resin (EP) has great potential due to its excellent mechanical properties, fatigue resistance, and radiation resistance. Herein, we focus on the molecular design and network construction of shape memory epoxy resins (SMEPs) to provide opportunities for performance and functional regulation. Multifunctional and high-performance SMEPs are introduced in detail, including multiple SMEPs, two-way SMEPs, outstanding toughness, and temperature resistance. Finally, emerging applications of SMEPs and their composites in aerospace, four-dimensional printing, and self-healing are demonstrated. Based on this, we point out the challenges ahead and how SMEPs can integrate performance and versatility to meet the needs of technological development.

Shape memory photonic materials: fabrication and emerging applications

“…44 A series of smart polymers have been used to develop thermally-triggered SMPs, such as polyurethane (PU), 51 polyimide, 52 polystyrene, 53 polyacrylate (PAA), 54 polysulfone, 55 poly(lactide), 56 poly(caprolactone), 57 This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2023 and epoxy resin. 58 However, the low thermal conductivity of the polymer limits the response rate of SMPs to temperature. 42 Moreover, in laboratory operation, they often need to function the shape memory cycles in a controlled heating environment (i.e., oven and water bath), which may not be applicable to some specific scenarios or technical requirements.…”

Chemically Crosslinked Amphiphilic Degradable Shape Memory Polymer Nanocomposites with Readily Tuned Physical, Mechanical, and Biological Properties

“…Engineering multifunctional biomaterials has become an actively pursued strategy to meet the multifaceted needs of synthetic tissue grafts and implants. , For guided tissue regeneration, introduction of shape-switching capacities into biocompatible degradable synthetic tissue grafts, such as shape memory polymers (SMPs) capable of rapidly reverting from a minimally invasive temporary shape to a tissue defect-conforming permanent shape in response to safe external stimuli, is of interest. − Despite the exciting developments of degradable SMPs in the past 2 decades, − challenges remain for their successful clinical translation due to the difficulty in simultaneously reducing synthetic complexity and fabrication cost, ensuring the safety of triggering mechanisms (e.g., temperature in the case of thermal responsive SMP) and degradation products, and achieving efficient in vivo shape recovery and tissue regeneration.…”

Eco‐Friendly One‐Pot Supramolecular‐Assembly of P‐N Flame Retardant for Fire‐Safe Epoxy Resin

“…In the industrial production area, bisphenol‐A epoxy resin (EP) is an indispensable thermoset resin. It plays an important role in different fields [ 1 ] such as construction, [ 2 ] adhesives, [ 3 ] electronics and electrical appliances, [ 4 ] and aerospace [ 5 ] due to the superior thermostability, chemical resistance, electric insulativity, adhesive property, and mechanical performance. However, EP is a highly flammable material that emits large amounts of heat and toxic gases when it burns, which not only limits its usage in areas with fire protection requirements, but also potentially endangers people and the environment.…”