Study of Biobased Shape Memory Polylactic Acid/Thermoplastic Polyurethane (PLA/TPU) Blends

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin Jing ◽  
Hao-Yang Mi ◽  
Lih-Sheng Turng ◽  
Xiang-Fang Peng

This paper presents the development of shape-memory polymers (SMPs) based on polylactic acid (PLA) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) blends. PLA was melt blended with TPU at weight ratios of 20, 30, and 40%, and then injection molded and hot compressed into permanent shapes. Unlike most of the existing SMPs, all three PLA/TPU blends could be formed (via bending, folding, compression, stretching, etc.) into temporary shapes at room temperature without an extra heating step. Upon heating to above the glass transition temperature of PLA (at 70 °C), the deformed parts regained their original shapes quickly. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) tests showed that PLA and TPU were immiscible. The dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA) data and the mechanical tests, including tensile, compression, and flexural tests, showed that the PLA/TPU with the 80/20 weight ratio had the best shape-memory properties, even if it was somewhat brittle. The 70/30 PLA/TPU blend had the best combination of shape recovery and mechanical properties.

2014 ◽  
Vol 616 ◽  
pp. 325-332
Author(s):  
Luboš Bĕhálek ◽  
Martin Seidl ◽  
Jozef Dobránsky

This paper deals with the evaluation of crystalline structure and thermal properties of injection molded parts based on polylactic acid (PLA) matrix reinforced by banana and hemp natural fibres (NF). Using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) methods were evaluated thermal properties and crystalline structure of PLA/NF composites, depending on the amount of natural fibres within the weight ratio of 10% up to 30%. We observed that hemp and banana fibres work like natural nucleating agents and thus subsequently improve the material properties of PLA. We also observed process of melt (primary) and cold (secondary) crystallization of PLA/NF composites depending on cooling rate.


Polymers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 351
Author(s):  
Chang-Seok Yun ◽  
Joo Seong Sohn ◽  
Sung Woon Cha

We investigated the shape-recovery characteristics of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) with a microcellular foaming process (MCP). Additionally, we investigated the correlation between changes in the microstructure and the shape-recovery characteristics of the polymers. TPU was selected as the base material, and the shape-recovery characteristics were confirmed using a universal testing machine, by manufacturing dog-bone-type injection-molded specimens. TPUs are reticular polymers with both soft and hard segments. In this study, we investigated the shape-memory mechanism of foamed polymers by maximizing the shape-memory properties of these polymers through a physical foaming process. Toward this end, TPU specimens were prepared by varying the gas pressure, foaming temperature, and type of foaming gas in the batch MCP. The effects of internal structural changes were investigated. These experimental variables affected the microstructure and shape-recovery characteristics of the foamed polymer. The generated cell density changed, which affected the shape-recovery characteristics. In general, a higher cell density corresponded to a higher shape-recovery ratio.


Polymers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 542 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Santiago ◽  
Dailyn Guzmán ◽  
Francesc Ferrando ◽  
Àngels Serra ◽  
Silvia De la Flor

A series of bio-based epoxy shape-memory thermosetting polymers were synthesized starting from a triglycidyl phloroglucinol (3EPOPh) and trimethylolpropane triglycidyl ether (TPTE) as epoxy monomers and a polyetheramine (JEF) as crosslinking agent. The evolution of the curing process was studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and the materials obtained were characterized by means of DSC, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), stress-strain tests, and microindentation. Shape-memory properties were evaluated under free and totally constrained conditions. All results were compared with an industrial epoxy thermoset prepared from standard diglycidyl ether of Bisphenol A (DGEBA). Results revealed that materials prepared from 3EPOPh were more reactive and showed a tighter network with higher crosslinking density and glass transition temperatures than the prepared from DGEBA. The partial substitution of 3EPOPh by TPTE as epoxy comonomer caused an increase in the molecular mobility of the materials but without worsening the thermal stability. The shape-memory polymers (SMPs) prepared from 3EPOPh showed good mechanical properties as well as an excellent shape-memory performance. They showed almost complete shape-recovery and shape-fixation, fast shape-recovery rates, and recovery stress up to 7 MPa. The results obtained in this study allow us to conclude that the triglycidyl phloroglucinol derivative of eugenol is a safe and environmentally friendly alternative to DGEBA for preparing thermosetting shape-memory polymers.


2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (8) ◽  
pp. 611-620 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabrizio Quadrini ◽  
Denise Bellisario ◽  
Loredana Santo ◽  
Felicia Stan ◽  
Fetecau Catalin

Multi-walled carbon-nanotubes (MWCNTs) were melt-mixed with three different thermoplastic matrices (polypropylene, PP, polycarbonate, PC, and thermoplastic polyurethane, TPU) to produce nanocomposites with three different filler contents (1, 3, and 5 wt.%). Initial nanocomposite blends (in the shape of pellets) were tested under differential scanning calorimetry to evaluate the effect of the melt mixing stage. Nanocomposite samples were produced by compression moulding in a laboratory-scale system, and were tested with quasi-static (bending, indentation), and dynamic mechanical tests as well as with friction tests. The results showed the effect of the filler content on the mechanical and functional properties of the nanocomposites. Compression moulding appeared to be a valuable solution to manufacture thermoplastic nanocomposites when injection moulding leads to loss of performance. MWCNT-filled thermoplastics could be used also for structural and functional uses despite, the present predominance of electrical applications.


2014 ◽  
Vol 1611 ◽  
pp. 25-30
Author(s):  
Francisco Fernando Roberto Pereira ◽  
Maria Goretti Ferreira Coutinho ◽  
Bruno Moura Miranda ◽  
Carlos José de Araújo

ABSTRACTShape Memory Alloys (SMA) are characterized by the capacity to recover a permanent deformation after being heated above a critical temperature called Final Austenite Temperature (Af). The Ni-Ti SMA are the most commercially used, however recent studies showed that the Cu-Al-Mn SMA present significant shape recovery and mechanical properties, showing a strong potential for developing new applications. In this context, the main goal of this work is to manufacture a Cu-Al-Mn SMA through a plasma melting process followed by injection molding of liquid metal and then characterize the samples, using the following techniques: Optical Microscopy (OM), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Electrical Resistance as a function of Temperature (ERT) tests, Dynamical Mechanical Analysis (DMA) and Microhardness (MH).


Polymers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 1928
Author(s):  
Katalin Czifrák ◽  
Csilla Lakatos ◽  
Marcell Árpád Kordován ◽  
Lajos Nagy ◽  
Lajos Daróczi ◽  
...  

In this report, the synthesis of poly(ω-pentadecalactone) (PPDL) (co)polymers and their incorporation into polyurethanes (PUs) are reported. Optimal conditions for the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of ω-pentadecalactone (PDL) using dibutyltin dilaurate catalyst were established. For the synthesis of linear and crosslinked PUs, 50 kDa poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and 1,6-hexamethylenediisocyanate (HDI) were used. The obtained polyurethanes were characterized by Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier-Transform Infrared spectroscopy (AT-FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and dynamical mechanical analysis (DMA). The DMA of the selected sample showed a rubbery plateau on the storage modulus versus temperature curve predicting shape memory behavior. Indeed, good shape memory performances were obtained with shape fixity (Rf) and shape recovery (Rr) ratios.


Polymers ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 2099 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diego Lascano ◽  
Giovanni Moraga ◽  
Juan Ivorra-Martinez ◽  
Sandra Rojas-Lema ◽  
Sergio Torres-Giner ◽  
...  

This work reports the effect of the addition of an oligomer of lactic acid (OLA), in the 5–20 wt% range, on the processing and properties of polylactide (PLA) pieces prepared by injection molding. The obtained results suggested that the here-tested OLA mainly performs as an impact modifier for PLA, showing a percentage increase in the impact strength of approximately 171% for the injection-molded pieces containing 15 wt% OLA. A slight plasticization was observed by the decrease of the glass transition temperature (Tg) of PLA of up to 12.5 °C. The OLA addition also promoted a reduction of the cold crystallization temperature (Tcc) of more than 10 °C due to an increased motion of the biopolymer chains and the potential nucleating effect of the short oligomer chains. Moreover, the shape memory behavior of the PLA samples was characterized by flexural tests with different deformation angles, that is, 15°, 30°, 60°, and 90°. The obtained results confirmed the extraordinary effect of OLA on the shape memory recovery (Rr) of PLA, which increased linearly as the OLA loading increased. In particular, the OLA-containing PLA samples were able to successfully recover over 95% of their original shape for low deformation angles, while they still reached nearly 70% of recovery for the highest angles. Therefore, the present OLA can be successfully used as a novel additive to improve the toughness and shape memory behavior of compostable packaging articles based on PLA in the new frame of the Circular Economy.


Author(s):  
Shangqin Yuan ◽  
Jiaming Bai ◽  
Chee Kai Chua ◽  
Kun Zhou ◽  
Jun Wei

Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) powders were successfully processed in a selective laser sintering (SLS) system. The laser-sintered polyurethane products with viscoelastic behaviors exhibit high flexibility and elongation at break at room temperature. Moreover, the creeping and the thermoresponsive shape-memory effects (SME) were also characterized. The influences of the time-temperature relevant parameters on the shape-fixity and shape-recovery ratios were investigated quantitatively. The creeping and SME were time–temperature dependent phenomena, and the shape recovery mechanism is associated to the microsegments thermal transitions within the polymer matrix.


2004 ◽  
Vol 855 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher M. Yakacki ◽  
Ken Gall ◽  
Robin Shandas ◽  
Alicia M. Ortega ◽  
Nick Willett ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTWe examine the shape-memory effect in polymer networks intended for biomedical applications. The polymers were photopolymerized from tert-butyl acrylate (tBA) with polyethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (PEGDMA) acting as a crosslinker. Three-point flexural tests were used to systematically investigate the thermomechanics of shape-storage deformation and shape recovery. The glass transition temperature (Tg) of the polymers varied over a range of 100°C and is dependent on the molecular weight and concentration of the crosslinker. The polymers show 100% strain recovery up to maximum strains of approximately 80% at low and high deformation temperatures (Td). Free strain recovery was determined to depend on the temperature during deformation; lower deformation temperatures (Td < Tg) decreased the temperature required for free strain recovery. Constrained stress recovery shows a complex evolution as a function of temperature and also depends on Td. The thermomechanical results are discussed in light of potential biomedical applications and a prototype stent that can be activated at body temperature is presented.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document