Shape Memory Polymers and Their Applications

Abstract

Shape-memory polymers (SMPs) are an innovative member of smart material family. They have emerged in recent years as a promising material with an ability to undergo a significant deformation under external load and respond reversibly in the presence of a proper external stimulus. Due to the unique thermomechanical properties of the thermally activated SMPs, this kind of the shape memory materials have attracted a significant consideration in last three decades and widely being researched for a wide range of applications in recent years. In this chapter, a general review for the SMPs, their properties and the latest modelling and analytical techniques for the behaviour of SMPs and their composites (SMPCs) will be presented.