Shape-memory effect of poly (glycerol-sebacate) elastomer

In the present work, we report the excellent shape-memory behavior of Poly (glycerol-sebaeate) (PGS) elastomer for the first time. It is found that the crosslinked, three-dimensional networks of the PGS acting as fixed phase and the amorphous phase of the PGS acting as reversible phase are the two necessary conditions for PGS with shape memory behavior. The response temperature of shape memory is dependent on the glass transition temperature of PGS. The PGS polymer developed has an excellent shape-memory effect, having a shape-memory ratio of above 99.5%. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.