Preparation and Study of Shape Memory in Epoxy Resins

Abstract

Shape memory polymers (SMPs) are stimuli‐response materials known for their ability to be actuated from temporary shape into original shape. Because of this unique functionality SMPs are promising materials for diverse applications fields, including smart biomedical devices, aviation, automobile, structures or coatings. In this article, the work has been focused on the chemical modification of an epoxy monomer Bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (DGEBA) which was carried out by using allyl amines as curing agents and a thiol. When both systems Epoxy‐Amine/Tiol‐Ene were photopolymerized, a soft phase is introduced through a thiol‐ene system and a rigid phase is given by the polymerization of the epoxy polymer when it reacts with the curing agent allyl amine. One of the main requirements in SMPs is the presence of soft and rigid phases. The study of the effect of the concentration of three different curing agents, allyl amine type, over the capacity of the conformed polymers to return to their original shape was evaluated. DMA analysis was used to determine the Tg in the polymers, once obtained, the polymers were treated on a hot water bath above 10 °C their Tg, then the evaluation of the memory shape was carried out by two tests, bending and torsion. SMPs were obtained and specimens with 20% of concentration of allyl amine as curing agent showed an improvement in their ability of memory shape with a 99% of recovery.