Kartikey Shahi, Velmurugan Ramachandran^*, Ranjith Mohan, Boomurugan Ramachandran

Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.42, No.2, pp. 477-496, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpm.2025.062481 - 14 July 2025

Abstract A Shape Memory Polymer Composite (SMPC) is developed by reinforcing an epoxy-based polymer with randomly oriented short glass fibers. Diverging from previous research, which primarily focused on the hot programming of short glass fiber-based SMPCs, this work explores the potential for programming below the glass transition temperature (Tg) for epoxy-based SMPCs. To mitigate the inherent brittleness of the SMPC during deformation, a linear polymer is incorporated, and a temperature between room temperature and Tg is chosen as the deformation temperature to study the shape memory properties. The findings demonstrate an enhancement in shape fixity and More >

Taoxi Wang¹, Zhuo Liu^1,2, Fu Jian¹, Xing Shen¹, Chen Wang¹, Huwei Bian³, Tao Jiang^3,*, Wei Min Huang⁴

Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.42, No.1, pp. 81-94, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpm.2025.061047 - 27 March 2025

Abstract This paper presents the development of a thermoplastic shape memory rubber that can be programmed at human body temperature for comfortable fitting applications. We hybridized commercially available thermoplastic rubber (TPR) used in the footwear industry with un-crosslinked polycaprolactone (PCL) to create two samples, namely TP6040 and TP7030. The shape memory behavior, elasticity, and thermo-mechanical response of these rubbers were systematically investigated. The experimental results demonstrated outstanding shape memory performance, with both samples achieving shape fixity ratios (R_f) and shape recovery ratios (R_r) exceeding 94%. TP6040 exhibited a fitting time of 80 s at body temperature (37°C), More >

Nayara Koba de Moura Morgado, Guilherme Ferreira de Melo Morgado, Erick Gabriel Ribeiro dos Anjos, Fabio Roberto Passador^*

Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.42, No.1, pp. 95-110, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpm.2025.059364 - 27 March 2025

Abstract The continuous improvement in patient care and recovery is driving the development of innovative materials for medical applications. Medical sutures, essential for securing implants and closing deep wounds, have evolved to incorporate smart materials capable of responding to various stimuli. This study explores the potential of thermoresponsive sutures, made from shape memory materials, that contract upon heating to bring loose stitches closer together, promoting optimal wound closure. We developed nanocomposites based on a blend of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)—biopolymers that inherently exhibit shape memory—enhanced with carbon nanotubes (CNT) and graphene nanoplatelets (GN)… More >

Changhong Linghu^1,*, Huajian Gao^1,2, K. Jimmy Hsia^1,3

The International Conference on Computational & Experimental Engineering and Sciences, Vol.32, No.2, pp. 1-2, 2024, DOI:10.32604/icces.2024.011590

Abstract Shape memory polymers (SMPs), with unique properties such as tunable elastic modulus, temporary shape-locking, and shape-recovery upon external stimulations, are emerging as a new class of smart materials with switchable adhesion capabilities. A prominent feature of the adhesion between SMP and a spherical indenter is the so-called R2G adhesion, defined as making contact in the rubbery state to a certain indentation depth followed by detachment in the glassy state. While it has been demonstrated that the R2G adhesion with SMPs can achieve orders of magnitude higher adhesive strength compared to conventional elastic adhesive systems, the… More >

Zhao Wang¹, Jun Liu¹, Xiaoying Qi², Chadur Venkatesan², Sharon Nai², David W. Rosen^1,2,*

The International Conference on Computational & Experimental Engineering and Sciences, Vol.31, No.4, pp. 1-2, 2024, DOI:10.32604/icces.2024.011890

Abstract Shape memory polymers (SMP) have many applications as actuators in soft robotics. However, predicting their shape change behavior is challenging, which makes designing suitable actuators difficult. For thermally stimulated shape memory polymers, constitutive models of shape change behavior show promise in enabling predictable shape changes, which is necessary for actuator design. These models are usually classified as either rheological or phase transition, with the former being more general, although non-physical in nature, and the latter being more physically significant [1]. Of interest in this work is 2-state shape change transitions for single-material actuators; that is,… More >

MANIKANDAN.N^1,*, RAJESH.P.K¹

Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.38, No.3-4, pp. 327-336, 2021, DOI:10.32381/JPM.2021.38.3-4.12

Abstract In this research, a new method to fabricate multi-material, multi-shape changing polymer composites is proposed. The method aims to reduce the number of thermomechanical programming steps involved in achieving shape change in a shape memory polymer (SMP) composite structure by including the programming steps directly into the printing process. After a single step of mechanical deformation and thermal loading, the SMP fibers can be activated sequentially to control the shape change. Composite strip samples were fabricated using a Stratasys Objet 260 multimaterial printer. Two polymer inks VeroPureWhite and Agilus30 were used as primary materials. The… More >

KRISHAN KUMAR PATEL, RAJESH PUROHIT

Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.36, No.1, pp. 23-37, 2019, DOI:10.32381/JPM.2019.36.01.3

Abstract Microwave (MV)-induced thermo-responsive shape memory thermoplastic polyurethane (SMTPU)/ MWCNT composites were prepared in micro-compounder. Composites containing different amount of multiwall Carbon nanotube (MWCNT) varying from 0 to 1.5 phr in SMTPU matrix were prepared. Maximum stretching strength, recovery force and tensile strength for 1.5 CNTPU (1.5 phr MWCNT in SMTPU matrix) was increased by 120%, 100% and 24% respectively as compared to SMTPU. MV-induced shape memory is a novel approach for fast, clean and remote heating during operation. MWCNT is strong absorber of microwave irradiation so that SMTPU/ MWCNTs nanocomposites successfully triggered by microwave. More >

Guanghui Shi¹, Qingsheng Yang^1,2, Xiaoqiao He^3,4, Kim Meow Liew³

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.90, No.5, pp. 339-358, 2013, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2013.090.339

Abstract In order to describe the thermomechanical deformation and shape memory effect of shape memory polymers (SMPs), a three-dimensional thermomechanical constitutive model that considers elastic, viscoelastic strain and thermal expansion is proposed for isotropic SMPs. A three-dimensional finite element procedure is developed by implementing the proposed constitutive model into the user material subroutine (UMAT) in ABAQUS program. Numerical examples are used to compare it with existing experimental data in a one dimensional case and to demonstrate the thermomechanical behavior of SMPs with 3D deformation. It is shown that the present constitutive theory and the finite element More >

Z.D. Wang¹, D.F Li¹

The International Conference on Computational & Experimental Engineering and Sciences, Vol.5, No.4, pp. 245-254, 2008, DOI:10.3970/icces.2008.005.245

Abstract The thermo-mechanical constitution of shape memory polymers (SMPs) is critical for predicting their deformation and recovery characteristics under different constraints. In this study, a new, physical-based, temperature and time-dependent constitutive model is proposed for simulating the thermomechanical response of SMPs. The deformation mechanisms of shape fix and shape recovery are analyzed. Different models are compared to compare strain and stress recovery responses with the experimental results. More >