Influence of cross-linking degree on shape memory effect of styrene copolymer

Dawei Zhang; Xin Lan; Yanju Liu; Jinsong Leng

doi:10.1117/12.715527

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20 April 2007 Influence of cross-linking degree on shape memory effect of styrene copolymer

Dawei Zhang, Xin Lan, Yanju Liu, Jinsong Leng

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Proceedings Volume 6526, Behavior and Mechanics of Multifunctional and Composite Materials 2007; 65262W (2007) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.715527
Event: SPIE Smart Structures and Materials + Nondestructive Evaluation and Health Monitoring, 2007, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

This paper is concerned about the synthesis of shape memory styrene copolymer and the investigation of the influence of cross-linking degree on its shape memory effect. As one of novel actuators in smart materials, shape memory polymers (SMPs) have been investigated intensively. Styrene copolymer with proper cross-linking degree can exhibit shape memory effect (SME). In this paper, the influence of cross-linking degree on shape memory effect of styrene copolymer was investigated through altering the dosage of cross-linking agent. The cross-linking degree of styrene copolymer was determined by measuring the gel content. The glass transition temperature (Tg) of styrene copolymer, which is determined the cross-linking degree, was measured by Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA). The shape memory performance of styrene copolymer with different cross-linking degrees was also evaluated. Results indicated that the shape memory polymer (SMP) was synthesized successfully. The T_g increased from 55°C to 80.7°C followed by increasing the gel content from 0% to 80% through increasing the dosage of cross-linking agent from 0% to 4%. Moreover, the SMP experienced good SME and the largest reversible strain of the SMP reached as high as 150%. When heating above T_g+30°C (different copolymers performed different T_g), the shape recovery speed of the copolymers increased with increasing the gel content. However, the recovery speed decreased with increasing the gel content at the same temperature of 95°C.

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Dawei Zhang, Xin Lan, Yanju Liu, and Jinsong Leng "Influence of cross-linking degree on shape memory effect of styrene copolymer", Proc. SPIE 6526, Behavior and Mechanics of Multifunctional and Composite Materials 2007, 65262W (20 April 2007); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.715527

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