Unique Recovery Behavior in Amorphous Shape‐Memory Polymer Networks

Abstract

Shape‐memory polymers (SMPs) have emerged as a multi‐functional materials platform and have been proposed for a variety of applications ranging from simple actuators to biomedical devices. The shape‐memory cycle is demonstrated through a three‐step process of programming, storage, and recovery. In this paper, recent findings that associate each step of the shape‐memory cycle to unique recovery behavior are highlighted. The article focuses on the influence of deformation temperature, long‐term storage (physical aging), partially constrained recovery, and mechanically driven recovery with respect to shape‐memory behavior.

Recent advances in shape memory epoxy resins and composites

“…This means that the properties depend on both temperature and time. In the time scale especially heating/cooling and physical aging [16], effects should be taken into consideration. Viscoelasticity implies a strong influence of the selection of T trans on the SM properties.…”

Thermo-mechanics of Amorphous Shape-memory Polymers

“…Section 2 presents the major assumptions of the modeling approach and main constitutive relationships. Section 3 describes applications of the models to study the effect of deformation temperature [12,13,8], physical aging [14,9] and solvent absorption [6] on the shape-memory behavior, as well as the mechanism of multiple shape-memory effects [15].…”

Controllable shape‐memory recovery regions in polymers through mechanical programming

“…The key parameters of the programming process include the deformation temperature, the loading rate, the holding time, the cooling rate, the unloading temperature, and the unloading rate. It has been found that these programming parameters can significantly influence the subsequent shape‐recovery performance …”