Shape memory polymers (SMPs) are smart, responsive materials with numerous potential applications. Common SMPs can be switched between two shapes. Recently, the possibility of switching more than two shapes was introduced for SMPs with relatively low strain storage capability. In this work, a tunable multiple-shape memory polymer with high strain storage capacity was achieved by lightly cross-linking a polyethylene blend comprising 80 wt% EOC, 15 wt% LDPE, and 5 wt% HDPE. It is found that depending on the programming procedure, this polymer blend exhibits a dual-, triple-, or quadruple-shape memory effect, with well-defined intermediate temporary shapes (retraction-rate between 0.09 and 0.46% K-1) over a significantly broad temperature range (up to 30 K), large storable strains (up to 1700%), and nearly full recovery of all shapes ( > 98.9%).

Tunable multiple-shape memory of lightly cross-linked polyethylene blends

248th National Meeting (2014)

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