Adhesive strength enhancement of shape memory polymer composite and metal joint

A method of coupling a metal alloy member and a Shape memory polymer (“SMP”) member, comprising:

• applying a coupling agent to at least one of a first surface of a metal alloy member and a second surface of an SMP member, wherein the coupling agent comprises a plurality of molecules, each molecule including at least one metal alloy bonding group and at least one SMP bonding group;
• bringing the first surface and the second surface into adjoining alignment, with the coupling agent disposed therebetween;
• and
• condensing the coupling agent on the first surface.

A method of coupling a metal alloy member and a toughened shape memory polymer (“SMP”) member, comprising:

• resurfacing a first surface of the metal alloy member;
• forming the toughened SMP member by incorporating a toughening agent into an SMP material, wherein the toughening agent includes at least one of nanotubes, nanoparticles, nanoplatelets, nanofibers nanomultipods, polymers, or any combination thereof, which absorb fracture energy
• applying a coupling agent on at least one of the first surface of the metal alloy member and a second surface of the toughened SMP member, wherein the coupling agent comprises plurality of molecules with each molecule having at least one metal alloy bonding group and at least one SMP bonding group;
• bringing the first surface and the second surface into adjoining alignment, with the coupling agent disposed therebetween;
• and
• condensing the coupling agent on the first surface.