Reversible deformation exhibited by polymer-network composed of main-chain smectic polymers

Abstract

We have investigated the shape-memory effect of uniaxially deformed main-chain smectic C elastomers. In the uniaxially deformed smectic C elastomer, the reversible deformation such as shrinkage and elongation is observed in a heating and cooling process in which the smectic-isotropic (isotropic-smectic) transition takes place. We confirm that the strength of layer reflection in X-ray observation becomes weak after the uniaxial deformation. The shape-memory effect of the elastomers and the molecular re-orientation under mechanical stress are discussed.