Tuning of shape memory polymer properties by controlling 3D printing strategy

摘要

Unique thermal shape recovery and chemical stability make Shape Memory Polymers (SMPs) attractive for critical applications in biomedical, aerospace and energy sectors. While additive manufacturing (AM) of SMPs allows fabrication of functionally-graded structures with tailored, intricate design features, the effect of AM on shape recovery characteristics has not received much attention. To demonstrate that shape recovery characteristics can be significantly enhanced through a variation of AM building strategies and process parameters beyond tuning of material compositions alone, an experimental study was developed. In-situ thermomicro-mechanical testing was applied to capture the shape memory properties, both during shape programming and post that. (C) 2020 CIRP. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.