Thermal-mechanical properties of polyurethane-clay shape memory polymer nanocomposites

Ben Xu, Yong Qing Fu, Wei Min Huang, Yu Tao Pei, Zhen Guo Chen, Jeff de Hosson, Arno Kraft, Robert Reuben

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

42 Citations (Scopus)
19 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Shape memory nanocomposites of polyurethane (PU)-clay were fabricated by melt mixing of PU and nano-clay. Based on nano-indentation and microhardness tests, the strength of the nanocomposites increased dramatically as a function of clay content, which is attributed to the enhanced nanoclay–polymer interactions. Thermal mechanical experiments demonstrated good mechanical and shape memory effects of the nanocomposites. Full shape memory recovery was displayed by both the pure PU and PU-clay nanocomposites.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)31-39
JournalPolymers
Volume2
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 26 Apr 2010

Keywords

  • shape memory
  • nanocomposites
  • polyurethane
  • nano-clay
  • Vickers indentation
  • microhardness

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