Development of Two Part Porous Shape Memory Polymer Nanocomposites

The porous structure and shape memory effect (SME) were studied for shape memory polymer (SMP) and SMP nanocomposites. In order to alter the density of the SMP, a batch processing technique was utilized on the creation of porous structure, where the saturation pressure and foaming time were varied and saturation time and foaming temperature were kept constant. The change in density on the time response of the SME was investigated. Also the effects of the change in density and thickness or the addition of organoclay on the recovery force of the SMP were elucidated. With the objective of designing an SMP to be used as an actuator, response time, recovery force and weight savings were found to be critical parameters.