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Effect of chemical crosslinking on the free-strain recovery characteristics of amorphous shape-memory polymers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 January 2011

Alicia M. Ortega
Affiliation:
alicia.ortega@colorado.edu, University of Colorado, Mechanical Engineering, Boulder, Colorado, United States
Christopher Michael Yakacki
Affiliation:
chris@medshapesolutions.com, MedShape Solutions Inc., Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Sean A. Dixon
Affiliation:
Sean.Dixon@Medshapesolutions.com, MedShape Solutions Inc., Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Alan R. Greenberg
Affiliation:
Alan.Greenberg@Colorado.EDU, University of Colorado, Mechanical Engineering, Boulder, Colorado, United States
Ken Gall
Affiliation:
ken.gall@mse.gatech.edu, Georgia Institute of Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
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Abstract

The goal of this study is to investigate the fundamental relationship between the extent of crosslinking and shape-memory behavior of amorphous, (meth)acrylate-based polymer networks. The polymer networks were produced by copolymerization of tert-butyl acrylate (tBA) and poly(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylates of differing molecular weights (PEGDMA). Polymer compositions were tailored via the amount (weight percent (wt%)) and molecular weight of the PEGDMA crosslinking agents added to produce four materials with varying levels of crosslinking (0, 2, 10, and 40 wt% crosslinking agent corresponding to 0, 0.6, 3.2, and 16.6 mole%) and nearly equal glass transition temperatures (Tg). The effect of crosslinking on deformation limits and free-strain recovery is evaluated. Near complete strain recovery was demonstrated by all materials; however, absolute recovery strain decreased with increasing crosslinking due to a corresponding decrease in strain-to-failure. The results provide insights regarding the link between polymer structure, deformation limits, and strain-recovery capabilities of this class of shape-memory polymers. An improved understanding of this relationship is pivotal for optimizing system response for a wide range of shape-memory applications.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2009

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