Abstract
This chapter mentions that the relationship between structures and properties has consistently been the core of polymer investigation. Shape Memory Polymers (SMPs) are a class of novel polymeric materials whose shape memory properties have drawn increasing attention in the technical community. As more and more polymers with various structures, especially some amorphous polymers such as Polycarbonate (PC) and Poly (methylmethacrylate) (PMMA), have been reported as showing a shape memory effect, it is becoming impossible to determine the structural difference between SMPs and traditional polymers. The chapter analyzes the general characteristics of the structure of SMP. It presents a categorization of the SMPs reported according to structural feature and a distinction between the traditional polymers and SMPs and proposes the considerations of the molecular design of SMPs. Based on the analysis of the structure of SMPs, the chapter introduces the investigations on the relationship between the structure and shape memory effect of shape memory polyurethanes (SMPUs) and defines shape memory behaviors by both structure and thermo-mechanical conditions. The structure–condition–property relationship is very complicated; a well-established model may be an effective solution. The chapter also presents and reviews some models for SMPs.
Published Version
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