Modified shape memory cyanate polymers with a wide range of high glass transition temperatures

Abstract

Shape memory cyanate polymers (SMCPs) are a new kind of smart materials, which have huge development potential and a promising future. A series of shape memory cyanate polymers were prepared by cyanate ester and varying content of a linear modifier. The thermal properties of the SMCPs were investigated by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA). The SMCPs we prepared have high glass transition temperature and show good heat resistance. The glass transition temperature T_g can be adjusted from 156.9°C to 259.6°C with the modifier. The initial temperature of thermal decomposition comes up to 300°C, which is enough high for the application in aerospace fields. The shape memory polymer we prepared shows a good shape memory effect, as the shape recovery time is less than 65s and the shape recovery rate reaches 95%.