Shape‐memory polymer networks from oligo(ϵ‐caprolactone)dimethacrylates

Abstract

Abstract Polymer networks showing a thermally induced shape‐memory effect were prepared through the crosslinking of oligo(ϵ‐caprolactone)dimethacrylates under photocuring with or without an initiator. The influence of the molecular weight of the oligo(ϵ‐caprolactone)dimethacrylates and the initiator concentration on the macroscopic properties of the polymer networks was investigated. The isothermal and nonisothermal crystallization behavior of the polymer networks was evaluated as a basic principle of the functionalization process. Shape‐memory properties such as the strain fixity and strain recovery rate were quantified with cyclic thermomechanical tensile experiments for different maximum elongations. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 1369–1381, 2005