Characterization of the Thermoresponsive Shape-Memory Effect in Poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK)

We conducted a systematic experimental investigation to characterize the shape-memory effect in a commercial poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK), which is a very important high-temperature polymers at present. The focus was on the influence of the programming conditions and heating temperature for recovery on the shape-recovery ratio (R-r). We concluded that PEEK is not only an important engineering polymer as it is traditionally known but is also an excellent high-temperature shape-memory polymer. For a residual programming strain of 30%, the maximum R-r was about 90%. It was revealed that it was practically feasible to program PEEK at room temperature and to lower the recovery temperature from its melting temperature range to around its glass-transition temperature. (c) 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 39844.