A Comparative Experimental Study of ۴D-Printed Shape Memory Polymer Beams: PLA vs. XFLEX

This paper compares the shape memory polymer (SMP) properties of ۴D-printed beams made from polylactic acid (PLA) and a PLA-TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) composite known as XFLEX, both fabricated using fused deposition modeling (FDM). Tests including dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and tensile tests revealed that XFLEX exhibits superior shape recovery due to its elastomeric behavior, whereas PLA offers greater strength and stability against deformation. The glass transition temperature (Tg) is a critical factor for both materials, with XFLEX showing a higher Tg than PLA. Ultimately, the choice between XFLEX and PLA depends on specific application requirements: XFLEX is suitable for applications demanding rapid and precise shape recovery with the ability to withstand large deformations, while PLA is preferable for applications requiring higher mechanical stability.

کلیدواژه ها:

Shape memory polymer ، DMA test ، ۴D-printing ، Additive manufacturing