Expansion Moulding of Shape Memory Polymers
AssigneeSmith & Nephew, Inc.
InventorsHoracio Montes De Oca Balderas, Malcolm Brown
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Abstract
The present invention relates to shape memory materials and to a method for controlling shape change in shape memory materials. In particular, the invention relates to a method and a system for forming complex shapes from shape memory materials and to shape memory materials having complex shapes.
Claims27
A method for manufacturing a pre-relaxed shape memory polymer comprising the steps of:—
- processing a shape memory polymer having a first configuration to form an orientated shape memory polymer having a second configuration which is different to the first configuration;
- at least partially relaxing the orientated shape memory polymer by stimulating molecular motion thereof;
- and
- controlling the conditions under which the orientated shape memory material is at least partially relaxed to form a pre-relaxed shape memory polymer having a third configuration which is different to the first and second configurations.
A shape memory polymer having a first configuration and a second orientated configuration, the second configuration when at least partially relaxed in a mould by stimulating molecular motion of the orientated shape memory polymer, relaxes to a third configuration which is different to the first and second configurations.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.