Toughening PVC with Biocompatible PCL Softeners for Supreme Mechanical Properties, Morphology, Shape Memory Effects, and FFF Printability

Abstract

In this article, a first of its kind blend of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and biocompatible polycaprolactone (PCL) is introduced by melt mixing and then 3D printed successfully via Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF). Experimental tests are carried out on PCL‐PVC blends to assess thermo‐mechanical behaviors, morphology, fracture toughness, shape‐memory effects and printability. Macro and microscopic tests reveal that PVC‐PCL compounds are miscible due to high molecular compatibility and strong interaction. This causes extraordinary mechanical properties specially for PVC‐10 wt% PCL. In addition to the desired tensile strength (45 MPa), this material has a completely rubbery behavior at ambient temperature, and its total elongation is more than 81%. In addition, due to the high formability of PVC‐PCL at ambient temperature, it has capability of being programed via different shape‐memory protocols. Programming tests show that PVC‐PCL blends have an excellent shape‐memory effect and result in 100% shape recovery. SEM results prove a high improvement of PVC printability with the addition of 10 wt% PCL. Toughened PVC by PCL is herein added to the materials library of FFF 3D printers and expected to revolutionize applications of PVC compounds in the field of biomedical 3D and 4D printing due to its appropriate thermo‐mechanical properties, supreme printability, and excellent biocompatibility.

Effects of iron oxide and carbon nanotube contents on mechanical properties and shape memory behavior of biocompatible and biodegradable shape memory polymers

“…15 Additionally, Rahmatabadi et al studied 4D printing, utilizing thermalinduced deformation and a bioengineering approach, holds promise for biomedical devices, soft robotics, and smart actuators. 16 Numerous studies have reported incorporating nanoparticles into SMPs to improve the inadequate properties. Lendlein et al reported improved structural properties through the covalent integration of inorganic nanoparticles in polymer matrices and demonstrated the performance of poly(u-pentadecalactone) networks with self-healing nanoparticles as netpoints for magnetically-controlled shape-memory capability.…”

“…Wang et al studied biocompatibility, enabling self‐tightening sutures, pressure bandages, self‐expanding stents, scaffolds, artificial muscles, and orthodontic archwires 15 . Additionally, Rahmatabadi et al studied 4D printing, utilizing thermal‐induced deformation and a bioengineering approach, holds promise for biomedical devices, soft robotics, and smart actuators 16 …”

A dynamic trap well model of hydrothermal shape-memory effect in amorphous polymers undergoing tailorable shape recovery behaviour

“…The relaxation time is then decreased by means of either decreasing activation energy or increasing temperature, governed by the Eyring equation [14]. With the aid of these working principles, we can quantitatively predict the shape recovery [15,16] and relaxation behaviours [17,18] for the practical applications of hydrothermal-triggered SMPs.…”

Analysis of mechanical and shape memory properties of biocompatible shape memory polymers with different Fe3O4 contents

“…Utilizing Box-Behnken design and response surface methodology, they contributed to functional SMPs through FDM 3D printing by varying parameters such as infill density, nozzle temperature, and layer appearance. Also, Rahmatabadi et al [11] introduces a novel blend of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and biocompatible polycaprolactone (PCL) that is successfully 3D printed using fused filament fabrication. Thermo-mechanical behaviors, morphology, fracture toughness, shape-memory effects, and printability of PCL-PVC blends are experimentally investigated.…”