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New understanding of the shape-memory response in thiol-epoxy click systems: towards controlling the recovery process

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Abstract

Our research group has recently found excellent shape-memory response in “thiol-epoxy” thermosets obtained with click-chemistry. In this study, we use their well-designed, homogeneous and tailorable network structures to investigate parameters for better control of the shape-recovery process. We present a new methodology to analyse the shape-recovery process, enabling easy and efficient comparison of shape-memory experiments on the programming conditions. Shape-memory experiments at different programming conditions have been carried out to that end. Additionally, the programming process has been extensively analysed in uniaxial tensile experiments at different shape-memory testing temperatures. The results showed that the shape-memory response for a specific operational design can be optimized by choosing the correct programming conditions and accurately designing the network structure. When programming at a high temperature (T ≫ T g), under high network mobility conditions, high shape-recovery ratios and homogeneous shape-recovery processes are obtained for the network structure and the programmed strain level (ε D ). However, considerably lower stress and strain levels can be achieved. Meanwhile, when programming at temperatures lower than T g, considerably higher stress and strain levels are attained but under low network mobility conditions. The shape-recovery process heavily depends on both the network structure and ε D. Network relaxation occurs during the loading stage, resulting in a noticeable decrease in the shape-recovery rate as ε D increases. Moreover, at a certain level of strain, permanent and non-recoverable deformations may occur, impeding the completion and modifying the whole path of the shape-recovery process.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank MICINN (MAT2014-53706-C03-01 and MAT2014-53706-C03-02) and Generalitat de Catalunya (2014-SGR-67) for its financial support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universitat Rovira I Virgili, Campus Sescelades, Av. dels Països Catalans, 26, 43007, Tarragona, Spain

    Alberto Belmonte & Silvia De la Flor

  2. Thermodynamics Laboratory, ETSEIB, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Av. Diagonal 647, 08028, Barcelona, Spain

    Xavier Fernández-Francos

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  1. Alberto Belmonte
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  2. Xavier Fernández-Francos
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  3. Silvia De la Flor
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Correspondence to Silvia De la Flor.

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Belmonte, A., Fernández-Francos, X. & De la Flor, S. New understanding of the shape-memory response in thiol-epoxy click systems: towards controlling the recovery process. J Mater Sci 52, 1625–1638 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-016-0456-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-016-0456-9

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