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Advances in Shape Memory Polymeric Materials

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Smart and Functional Polymers".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 August 2024) | Viewed by 2064

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory, Adelphi, MD, USA
Interests: molecular and mesoscale modeling of polymers, biomolecules and composites; micromechanics of soft materials; mechanics of biological materials and structures; active materials and structures

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The use of shape memory polymers, a group of stimuli-responsive smart materials, gained increasing popularity and a strong interest in the scientific community for their versatile applicability and motivated the continuous study of these materials in the past decade. The currently used shape memory polymeric materials have relatively high strength, large recovery force and good thermal and electrical conductivity obtained by incorporating filler reinforcements. Despite the progress made in the development of shape memory polymeric materials, necessary reinforcement inevitably reduces the deformation capability of the polymer matrix, which is also a key property for their practical application. To look to the future, one strategy is to learn from mechanisms and operational principles from natural morphing materials to inspire the development of novel synthetic active polymers with shape memory and self-healing properties.

Dr. Yelena R. Sliozberg
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • shape memory polymer composites
  • shape memory epoxies
  • variable-stiffness systems of active polymers
  • liquid crystal elastomers
  • 3D and 4D printable shape memory polymers
  • thermoplastic shape memory polymers
  • biopolymer-based or bioinspired materials
  • mechanically adaptive polymeric materials
  • multi-stimuli responsive shape memory polymers
  • reprogramming of shape memory behavior

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

12 pages, 2255 KiB  
Article
Effects of Thermoforming on the Mechanical, Optical, Chemical, and Morphological Properties of PET-G: In Vitro Study
by Edoardo Staderini, Giuseppe Chiusolo, Federica Guglielmi, Massimiliano Papi, Giordano Perini, Michele Tepedino and Patrizia Gallenzi
Polymers 2024, 16(2), 203; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16020203 - 10 Jan 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1619
Abstract
The effectiveness of clear aligners in correcting malocclusions is closely linked to the properties of the materials used to make them. The polymers used in the manufacture of clear aligners have well-established properties. However, the process of manufacturing clear aligners, known as thermoforming, [...] Read more.
The effectiveness of clear aligners in correcting malocclusions is closely linked to the properties of the materials used to make them. The polymers used in the manufacture of clear aligners have well-established properties. However, the process of manufacturing clear aligners, known as thermoforming, involves thermal and mechanical shocks that may alter these properties. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of thermoforming on the mechanical, optical, chemical, and morphological properties of sixty PET-G specimens. The study compared the thickness, weight, absorbance, chemical structure, surface roughness, elastic modulus, yield strength, and breaking load of thirty thermoformed specimens with thirty non-thermoformed specimens. The study introduces a new approach by using standardized samples to analyze both chemical and physical properties. The results showed statistically significant differences in thickness (−15%), weight (−11%), and surface roughness (+1233% in roughness average; +1129% in RMS roughness) of the material. Additionally, a correlation was found between reduction in thickness and increase in opalescence. There was no significant change in the functionality of the aligners after thermoforming, as no significant mechanical changes were found. However, the increase in surface roughness may lead to plaque and fluid accumulation and worsen the fit of the aligners. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Shape Memory Polymeric Materials)
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