THERMALLY STIMULATED SHAPE MEMORY BEHAVIOR OF POLYMERS WITH PHYSICAL CROSSLINKS

• 来源期刊: 高分子科学（英文版）
• 年，卷（期）: 1999,（3）
• 页码范围: 203-213
• 页数: 11页
• 语种: 英文

摘要

The shape memory effect of polymers was investigated for the purpose of improving the processing conditions of their preparation and broadening the list of polymers for shape memory applications. Emphasis was put on the possibility of using polymers with physical crosslinks as shape memory materials and their structure-function relationships. Segmented block polyurethanes and polyethylene/nylon 6 graft copolymers were used as examples of polymers with physical crosslinks. It was found that these copolymers can really be used as thermally stimulated shape memory materials with large recoverable strain and high final recovery rate. The main advantage of using copolymers is their improved processing conditions as compared with polymers with chemical crosslinks. As only physical crosslinks are introduced, all conventional processing techniques for thermal plastics can be used, and the materials become easily reusable. The results indicate that the high crystallinity of these copolymers at room temperature and the formation of stable physical crosslinks are the two prerequisites for these polymers to exhibit shape memory effect. The successful use of block and graft copolymers imply the possibility of using polymers of various structure and properties as shape memory materials.