Shape memory epoxy: a systematic study of their performance

Seven epoxy-amine polymers showing shape memory (SM) properties were synthesized. Tunable thermal and mechanical properties with glass transition temperatures ranging from 44 to 93 °C were obtained by varying the molecular structures. The epoxy showed excellent SM properties with shape fixity and shape recovery reaching completeness above about 5% strains. The instantaneous SM behavior was found to be independent of materials structure or properties; however, more stringent experimental conditions were found to be detrimental to SM properties for the networks with lower crosslink density and/or higher molecular flexibility/mobility. Indeed, the impact of the shape memory cycling conditions on the SM behavior was investigated. Specifically, the deformation load, the recovery heating rate, the number of SM cycles, and the holding time in the deformed or temporary shape were varied. The mechanical and SM properties of the materials were characterized using dynamic mechanical analysis in tensile mode.

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