Favorable Thermoresponsive Shape Memory Effects of 3D Printed Poly(Lactic Acid)/Poly(ε‐Caprolactone) Blends Fabricated by Fused Deposition Modeling

Abstract

Abstract The shape of 3D printed products can be transformed over time, achieving 4D printing. In this work, poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) blends are fabricated via fused deposition modeling (FDM). The thermoresponsive shape memory effects (SMEs) of 3D printed blends are investigated by stress‐controlled dynamic mechanical analysis in tension mode. The SME mechanism is clarified in detail, along with the crystallization and melting behaviors, dynamic mechanical properties, and morphologies of PLA/PCL blends. It is confirmed that the crystallinity of reversible phase PCL, the glass transition behavior of fixed phase PLA and the two‐phase interfaces have important effects on the shape memory performance. Furthermore, the SME can be tuned by optimizing printing parameters. The 3D printed product fabricated with raster angle of 45°/−45°, infill density of 80%, and layer thickness of 0.05 mm exhibits a favorable SME at the deformation temperature of 65 °C. Shape memory products fabricated via FDM technology have great application potential for 4D printing.