Shape memory polymers based on cyanate ester-epoxy-poly (tetramethyleneoxide) co-reacted system

Thermoset polymers showing shape memory properties were synthesized by reacting bisphenol A dicyanate (BADC) with diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) and phenol telechelic poly(tetramethyleneoxide) (PTOH). The cure characteristics of the blend were evaluated by DSC, FTIR and rheometry. Blends with varying proportion of DGEBA/PTOH/BADC were studied for their flexural, dynamic mechanical and thermal properties. The flexural strength and thermal stability increased with increase in cyanate ester concentration, while these properties decreased with increase of PTOH concentration for a given composition. The storage modulus showed a similar trend. The transition temperature (T-trans) of the system increased with increase in cyanate ester content. The polymers showed good shape memory properties wherein the shape recovery increased with increase in PTOH content with a concomitant decrease in the shape recovery time. While the shape recovery increased proportional to the modulus ratio (E-g/E-r), the recovery time showed an inverse relationship with it. The transition temperature could be tuned by the reactant composition and the speed of shape recovery increased with increase in actuation temperature. These epoxy-cyanate ester systems possesses good thermal, mechanical and shape memory characteristics for potential use in smart actuator development. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.