Multi‐phase modeling of shape memory polymers

Abstract

In the present work, we propose a model for shape memory polymers based on the idea of the multiplicative decomposition of the deformation gradient. Evolution equations for the several deformation components are presented that provide for the storage of the entropy‐elastic strain and its recovery during the transition between the frozen phase and the active phase. First characteristic shape memory cycles for small and large deformations will be shown as a last point. (© 2012 Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)