[nanoPost] Smart fibres and textiles based on shape-memory polymers

Research Centre Germany

Shape-memory polymers are stimuli-responsive materials. Upon exposure to an external stimulus, e.g. an increase in temperature, they have the capability of changing their shape. The shape-memory effect results from the polymer’s structure and morphology in combination with a certain processing and programming technology.

An actual trend in polymer science is the design of materials, which show multifunctionality meaning an unexpected combination of material functionalizations like the combination of biofunctionality, hydrolytic degradability, and shape-memory functionality.

The evaluation of the materials shape-memory properties using thermocyclic tensile tests will be demonstrated. A group of degradable, thermoplastic polymers will be introduced, which are able to change their shape after an increase in temperature. Their mechanical properties and degradation rate can be tailored by variation of molecular parameters.

Present and future applications of shape-memory polymers, segmented polyurethanes, multiblock copolymers and polymer networks are presented. As an example a smart, degradable suture visualizes performance and potential of these shape memory thermoplastics in biomedical applications.

Potential applications for shape-memory polymers exist in almost any area of daily life: from self-repairing auto bodies to kitchen utensils, from switches to sensors, from intelligent packing to tools. Only a few of these applications have been implemented to date, because only a few shape-memory polymers have been investigated and even less are available on the market, so far. The majority of these polymers have not especially been designed as shape-memory materials. Here, the material design is at its very beginning. Extensive innovations have to be anticipated because of the interesting economical prospects for the shape-memory technology already within a short time period. Besides other stimuli like light or electromagnetic fields the two-way shape-memory effect will play a prominent role in future developments.