A comprehensive review on thermomechanical constitutive models for shape memory polymers

2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (10) ◽  
pp. 1243-1283 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ebrahim Yarali ◽  
Ali Taheri ◽  
Mostafa Baghani

Shape memory polymers are a class of smart materials, which are capable of fixing their deformed shapes, and can return to their original shape in reaction to external stimulus such as heat. Also due to their exceptional properties, they are mostly used in four-dimensional printing applications. To model and investigate thermomechanical response of shape memory polymers mathematically, several constitutive equations have been developed over the past two decades. The purpose of this research is to provide an up-to-date review on structures, classifications, applications of shape memory polymers, and constitutive equations of thermally responsive shape memory polymers and their composites. First, a comprehensive review on the properties, structure, and classifications of shape memory polymers is conducted. Then, the proposed models in the literature are presented and discussed, which, particularly, are focused on the phase transition and thermo-viscoelastic approaches for conventional, two-way as well as multi-shape memory polymers. Then, a statistical analysis on constitutive relations of thermally activated shape memory polymers is carried out. Finally, we present a summary and give some concluding remarks, which could be helpful in selection of a suitable shape memory polymer constitutive model under a typical application.

Author(s):  
L. Santo ◽  
L. Iorio ◽  
G. M. Tedde ◽  
F. Quadrini

Shape Memory Polymer Composites (SMPCs) are smart materials showing the structural properties of long-fiber polymer-matrix together with the functional behavior of shape memory polymers. In this study, SM carbon fiber reinforced (CFR) composites have been produced by using a SM interlayer between two CFR prepregs. Their SM properties have been evaluated in comparison with traditional structural CFR composites without the SM interlayer by using an especially designed test. Active and frozen forces are measured during a thermo-mechanical cycle in the three-point bending configuration. Experimental results show that SMPCs are able to fix a temporary deformed shape by freezing high stresses.


Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (18) ◽  
pp. 4246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yujie Chen ◽  
Chi Chen ◽  
Hafeez Ur Rehman ◽  
Xu Zheng ◽  
Hua Li ◽  
...  

Shape-memory materials are smart materials that can remember an original shape and return to their unique state from a deformed secondary shape in the presence of an appropriate stimulus. This property allows these materials to be used as shape-memory artificial muscles, which form a subclass of artificial muscles. The shape-memory artificial muscles are fabricated from shape-memory polymers (SMPs) by twist insertion, shape fixation via Tm or Tg, or by liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs). The prepared SMP artificial muscles can be used in a wide range of applications, from biomimetic and soft robotics to actuators, because they can be operated without sophisticated linkage design and can achieve complex final shapes. Recently, significant achievements have been made in fabrication, modelling, and manipulation of SMP-based artificial muscles. This paper presents a review of the recent progress in shape-memory polymer-based artificial muscles. Here we focus on the mechanisms of SMPs, applications of SMPs as artificial muscles, and the challenges they face concerning actuation. While shape-memory behavior has been demonstrated in several stimulated environments, our focus is on thermal-, photo-, and electrical-actuated SMP artificial muscles.


2013 ◽  
Vol 721 ◽  
pp. 169-172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu Gu ◽  
Shao Xiong Li

The viscoelastic behaviors of shape memory polymers have a significant influence on the function realization of this kind of smart materials. In this study, stress-strain hysteresis under uniaxial tension of epoxy shape memory polymers with varied curing agent contents and types were tested at different temperatures. The effects of the testing temperature, curing-agent type and content on the viscoelastic behaviors of the materials were discussed.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (02) ◽  
pp. 2050014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rong Huang ◽  
Shoujing Zheng ◽  
Zishun Liu ◽  
Teng Yong Ng

Hydrogels and shape memory polymers (SMPs) possess excellent and interesting properties that may be harnessed for future applications. However, this is not achievable if their mechanical behaviors are not well understood. This paper aims to discuss recent advances of the constitutive models of hydrogels and SMPs, in particular the theories associated with their deformations. On the one hand, constitutive models of six main types of hydrogels are introduced, the categorization of which is defined by the type of stimulus. On the other hand, constitutive models of thermal-induced SMPs are discussed and classified into three main categories, namely, rheological models; phase transition models; and models combining viscoelasticity and phase transition, respectively. Another feature in this paper is a summary of the common hyperelastic models, which can be potentially developed into the constitutive models of hydrogels and SMPs. In addition, the main advantages and disadvantages of these constitutive modes are discussed. In order to provide a compass for researchers involved in the study of mechanics of soft materials, some research gaps and new research directions for hydrogels and SMPs constitutive modes are presented. We hope that this paper can serve as a reference for future hydrogel and SMP studies.


2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (7) ◽  
pp. 4741-4747 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhen Li ◽  
Xiaoyong Zhang ◽  
Shiqi Wang ◽  
Yang Yang ◽  
Benye Qin ◽  
...  

Simple dip-coating transforms thermally responsive shape memory polymers into photo-responsive materials and allows for shape engineering and surface functionalization.


2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 1116-1143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhi Yuan ◽  
Anastasia Muliana ◽  
Kumbakonam Ramamani Rajagopal

The aim of this paper is to model the macroscopic response of light-activated shape memory polymers (LASMPs) subject to mechanical loadings and exposure to light at certain wavelengths and frequencies. When exposed to external stimuli of mechanical, thermal, photochemical and other origins, polymers undergo microstructural changes, e.g., scission, cross-linking, crystallization, etc. These microstructural changes affect the macroscopic performance of the polymers. In this study, in order to incorporate the effect of microstructural changes on the macroscopic response of light-activated shape memory polymers, we formulate constitutive models based on the notion that the natural configuration of the body under consideration evolves during its response. The theoretical framework appeals to a multinetwork approach consisting of two microstructural networks, which are the original network and the new network formed owing to a light activation. An important distinction between the approach considered here and the usual multinetwork approaches is that there is no conversion of one network to another; instead, what we have is the formation of a second network owing to the linking of photosensitive particles that get linked due to light irradiation. Furthermore, two different constitutive models are considered. The first model assumes the two networks are isotropic. The second model takes into account the directional preference of the second network that is formed. Both these models build on the work of Sodhi and Rao, which is based on the framework developed by Rajagopal and Srinivasa. Several classical boundary value problems involving homogeneous and inhomogeneous deformations are studied. We also investigate two nonlinear constitutive relations and different loading modes. The results highlight the differences in the responses when isotropic and anisotropic models are considered.


Polymers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 710 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ela Sachyani Keneth ◽  
Rama Lieberman ◽  
Matthew Rednor ◽  
Giulia Scalet ◽  
Ferdinando Auricchio ◽  
...  

Shape memory polymers are attractive smart materials that have many practical applications and academic interest. Three-dimensional (3D) printable shape memory polymers are of great importance for the fabrication of soft robotic devices due to their ability to build complex 3D structures with desired shapes. We present a 3D printable shape memory polymer, with controlled melting and transition temperature, composed of methacrylated polycaprolactone monomers and N-Vinylcaprolactam reactive diluent. Tuning the ratio between the monomers and the diluents resulted in changes in melting and transition temperatures by 20, and 6 °C, respectively. The effect of the diluent addition on the shape memory behavior and mechanical properties was studied, showing above 85% recovery ratio, and above 90% fixity, when the concentration of the diluent was up to 40 wt %. Finally, we demonstrated multi-material printing of a 3D structure that can be activated locally, at two different temperatures, by two different stimuli; direct heating and light irradiation. The remote light activation was enabled by utilizing a coating of Carbon Nano Tubes (CNTs) as an absorbing material, onto sections of the printed objects.


Author(s):  
Jinsong Leng ◽  
Yanju Liu ◽  
Shanyi Du

Shape memory polymers (SMPs) undergo significant macroscopic deformation upon the application of an external stimulus. As a novel and promising kind of smart materials, they have been widely researched since the 1980s. SMPs present many potential technical advantages that surpass those of shape memory alloys and shape memory ceramics such as good shape recoverability, low density, ease in processing and in tailoring of properties (e.g., transition temperature, stiffness, bio-degradability, and ease of functionally grading), programmability and controllability of recovery behavior, and most importantly, low cost. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive review of SMPs, encompassing a fundamental understanding of the shape memory of SMPs. The synthesis of SMPs is presented firstly. In order to realize the actuation of SMPs for a special application, the investigation of actuations in multi ways are performed, namely electroactive SMPs, light-responsive SMPs, magnetism-induced SMPs, and chemo-responsive SMPs. These novel actuation approaches play a critical role in the development of multifunctional materials that not only exhibit the shape memory effect but also perform particular functions. Based on the unique properties of such materials, primary applications are also listed, and the potential directions and applications of SMPs are proposed to be developed in future research.


2008 ◽  
Vol 47-50 ◽  
pp. 690-693 ◽  
Author(s):  
Da Wei Zhang ◽  
Jin Song Leng ◽  
Yan Ju Liu

This paper is concerned about the synthesis of shape memory styrene copolymer and the investigation of the influence of radialization dosage 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 radialization on shape memory effect of styrene copolymer was investigated through altering the dosage of radialization. The radialization dosage of styrene copolymer was determined by changed radicalization time. The glass transition temperature (Tg) of styrene copolymerwas measured by Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA). The shape memory performance of styrene copolymer with different radiated dosage was also evaluated. Results indicated that the shape memory polymer (SMP) was synthesized successfully. The Tg increased from 60°C to 65°C followed by increasing the radialization dosage. Moreover, the SMP experienced good SME and the largest reversible strain of the SMP reached as high as 150%. When heating above Tg+30°C (different copolymers performed different Tg), the shape recovery speed of the copolymers increased with increasing the radialization dosage. However, the recovery speed decreased with increasing the radialization dosage at the same temperature of 95°C.


2018 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
pp. 494-497
Author(s):  
Giovanni Matteo Tedde ◽  
Loredana Santo ◽  
Denise Bellisario ◽  
Leandro Iorio ◽  
Fabrizio Quadrini

Shape Memory Polymer Composites (SMPCs) are a class of smart materials in which the structural properties of long-fiber polymer-matrix composites and the functional behavior of Shape Memory Polymers (SMP) are combined together. In this study, the frozen stresses resulting from fixing a deformed shape have been investigated. Two different samples were manufactured, with and without significant shape memory properties, and a three point flexural test equipment was used in order to fix a deformed shape. The forces and the resulting stresses were measured during the samples deformation and after the shape freezing. The experimental tests have shown that the shape memory sample has a better ability to fix a deformed shape, since its frozen stress is higher in all the tests.


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