Abstract
A novel and facile strategy was proposed to construct a thermosetting/thermoplastic system with both shape memory and self-healing properties based on commercial epoxy resin and poly(epsilon-caprolactone)-PCL. Thermoplastic material is capable of re-structuring and changing the stiffness/modulus when the temperature is above melting temperature. PCL microfiber was used as a plasticizer in epoxy resin–based blends, and served as a 'hard segment' to fix a temporary shape of the composites during shape memory cycles. In this study, the electrospun PCL membrane with a porous network structure enabled a homogenous PCL fibrous distribution and optimized interaction between fiber and epoxy resin. The self-healing capability is achieved by phase transition during curing of the composites. The mechanism of the shape memory effect of the thermosetting (rubber)/thermoplastic composite is attributed to the structural design of the thermoplastic network inside the thermosetting resin/rubber matrix.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 015021 |
Journal | Smart Materials and Structures |
Volume | 25 |
Issue number | 1 |
Early online date | 4 Dec 2015 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 2016 |
Keywords
- shape memory composite
- self-healing
- electrospinning