4D printing – fused deposition modeling printing with thermal-responsive shape memory polymers

Abstract

Shape memory polymers (SMPs), as stimuli-responsive shape-changing polymers, change their deformed shape to pre-determined one under external stimuli, such as temperature, chemicals, light, etc. This research as part of the project in which employs four-dimensional (4D) printing technology to develop smart textile and wearable products. It describes the 4D printing process of the SMPs and their carbon nanotube composites. More specifically, the process begins with the SMPs pellet treatment for making the filament as input material for fused deposition modeling (FDM) type three-dimensional (3D) printer, then printing and finally testing the printed objects. The printed objects effectively perform the characteristics of SMPs in experiments as presented. Based on the achieved results, this process could be easily adapted to other research that related to 4D printing using SMPs. More research is needed to implement the 4D printing technology for the project and low-cost and mass production further.