Creep and cyclic mechanical properties of composites based on shape memory polymer

Abstract

Recently, shape memory polymer (SMP) as one of the functional materials has received much attention and its mechanical properties have been investigated. Shape memory polymer of polyurethane series has a glass transition temperature (Tg) around room temperature. According to the large change in modulus of elasticity above and below Tg, the SMP material has excellent shape memory effect. In this study, the glass fiber reinforced shape memory polymer was developed for the improvement of the mechanical weakness of SMP bulk and for wider applications in the fields of industry, medical treatment, welfare and daily life. The specimens with different fiber weight fractions were fabricated and their creep and cyclic behavior were investigated experimentally. It is confirmed that the fiber reinforcement fibers could be used to improve creep properties, such as the rupture strain and rupture time, for the SMP composites. In addition, the resistance to cyclic loading in the developed composites with SMP was clearly improved due to reinforcement fiber.