Pre-programing the glass transition temperature and transformation strain of shape memory polymers in fused deposition modeling process

Abstract

Shape memory polymer (SMP) parts printed with a fused deposition modeling process are increasingly considered for diverse industrial applications. However, gaps in the current understanding of how the process informs shape memory behaviors limit their applicability. This work studies how the coupled process thermomechanics, obtained at different process parameter settings such as of extrusion temperatures, influences shape memory behaviors. The results show that the process can precisely adjust the glass transition temperature within 42–50 °C and strains within 2.9–14.3% range without compromising mechanical strength. This allows imparting of multiple shape memory properties into printed SMP parts to realize complex shape-morphing behaviors.