Study on the shape memory polyamides. Synthesis and thermomechanical properties of polycaprolactone-polyamide block copolymer

Poly(caprolactone)(PCL)-polyamide multiblock copolymers were synthesized by the linear chain extension of PCL diol and diamine-terminated polyamide oligomer with hexamethylene diisocyanate in dimethylformamide. The thermal and mechanical properties of these block copolymers were examined and compared with the results in our previous papers about thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers (TPEs). PCL-polyamide block copolymers showed enhanced microphase separation and lower degree of fatigue by repeated deformation in shape memory behavior, and had higher rubbery plateau modulus, compared with TPEs.