Effect of Crosslinker Length and Composition on the Hydrophobicity and Thermomechanical Response of Acrylate‐Based Shape‐Memory Polymers

Abstract

Abstract Chemical and mechanical experiments are reported to elucidate the macroscopic effects of crosslinker length and composition on the thermomechanical response of acrylate‐based SMPs. To this end, EGA‐based formulations underwent a battery of basic tests which revealed that by increasing crosslinker chain length, polymer T g can be decreased but there will be increases in compliance, step recoverability, and damping in a glassy state. Addition of methacrylate groups can cause increases in swelling, T g , storage modulus in shorter chains, and greater damping at a rubbery state. All tested polymers exhibited mild hydrophilicity. PEGDA formulations exhibited good recoverability and could be an option for vascular applications. magnified image