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Updated: Dec 9, 2025

Fabrication of a Bioactive, PCL-based "Self-fitting" Shape Memory Polymer Scaffold
Published on: October 23, 2015
Thermo-Responsive Shape Memory Effect and Conversion of Porous Structure in a Polyvinyl Chloride Foam
Tao Xi Wang1, Lu Lu Chang1, Yun Hui Geng1
1State Key Laboratory of Mechanics and Control of Mechanical Structures, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 29 Yudao Street, Nanjing 210016, China.
Abstract:
In this paper, a thermo-responsive shape memory effect in a polyvinyl chloride thermoset foam is characterized. Excellent shape recovery performance is observed in foam samples programmed both at room temperature and above their transition temperature. The conversion of porous structures in the foam from closed-cell to open-cell after a shape memory effect cycle is revealed via a series of specially designed oil-dripping experiments and optical images of the micro pores. Programming the strain higher than 20% results in an apparent increase in open-cell level, whereas programming temperatures have almost no influence.
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