Thermal stability of shape memory polymers, polymer blends, and composites

Abstract

This chapter will focus on the thermal analysis and interesting related properties of high performance shape memory polymers (SMPs), shape memory polymer blends (SMPBs), and shape memory polymer composites (SMPCs) in different length scales. In general, thermal behaviors of shape memory materials are very relevant to the potential uses in many demanding applications. In order to develop durable industrial products, it is necessary to investigate the thermal stability of these polymers. The polybenzoxazine (PBZ)-based shape memory materials are mainly mentioned in this chapter due to the outstanding properties and high thermal stability of the novel phenolic polymers. This kind of thermoset can be alloyed with other polymers such as epoxy and polyurethane suitable to be used to produce SMPCs in high temperature applications with synergistic behaviors. Therefore, the PBZ/epoxy alloy-based systems and PBZ/polyurethane alloys-based systems are mentioned as well.