Shape memory polymer networks from styrene copolymer

Abstract

Shape memory polymer (SMP) can recover its original shape under the effect of the external stimuli. Its primary advantages over other smart materials are the high strain capacity (200% reversible strain), low density and low cost. The series of SMP based on styrene with the different cross linking agent were synthesized and the influences of cross linking agent on the shape memory effect (SME), thermo mechanical properties and gel contents were investigated. The investigation was conducted with experimental methods: swelling method, Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer (DMA), static, FT-IR spectra and shape recovery tests. The glass transition temperature (Tg) of SMP based on styrene increased from 35°C to 55°C, and the gel content increased from 0% to 35% with increasing the dosage of cross-linking agent from 0% to 1%. The shape memory behavior of SMP with different mass fraction cross-linking agent was investigated. SMP could fully recovery its original shape as the activate temperature of SMP was above or equal to Tg. The recovery rate of SMP became faster with increase of active temperature, and SMP with more cross-linking agent is faster than other SMP.