Shape Memory Effect of Polyurethane/Polycaprolactone (PU/PCL) Blend Based on Melting Temperature of PCL

In this study the blend of polyurethane based on poly(ε-caprolactone) diol (PUPCL diol) and polycaprolactone (PCL) was prepared with PCL content of 30% and its shape memory behavior was examined. The investigation on thermal properties was performed using DSC. This blend shows two melting endotherms. An explanation for this observation can be found in the segregation behavior of amorphous component during crystallization of PCL. Segregation of amorphous component during primary crystallization was evidently observed from TEM images which showed stacks of few lamellae located between crystals consisting dense lamellae stacks. By changing the crystallization conditions, shape recovery was associated with the melting of crystals formed during secondary crystallization of PCL in the range of body temperature, fulfilling the essential requirement of medical applications.

کلیدواژه ها:

shape memory ، crystallization ، polycaprolactone ، Polyurethane ، blend