Deformation Properties of Polyurethane-Shape Memory Polymer Foam

Abstract

The thermomechanical properties of polyurethane-shape memory polymer foam were investigated. The main results are summarized as follows. (1) Strain is recovered at temperatures around the glass transition temperature during heating. The temperature at which strain is recovered decreases with an increase in maximum strain. (2) The rate of strain recovery is 99% and does not change under cyclic deformation. (3) The rate of strain fixity is 100%. (4) Stress diminished during cooling. Stress decreases markedly at temperatures below the glass transition temperature. (5) Because large deformation and large variation in volume are obtained in shape-memory polymer foam, shape-memory polymer foam has excellent functional performance for large elements of mechanics and structures.