Shape memory polymers and process for preparing

A process for preparing a thermoset shape memory polymer, comprising curing a pre-thermoset admixture, the admixture comprising:

• a) from about 50% to about 99.9% by weight of one or more thermoplastic polymers;
• and
• b) from about 0.1% to about 50% by weight of one or more crosslinkers;
• wherein the resulting shape memory polymer has a glass transition temperature, Tg, of from about −40° C. to about 200° C., a rubbery modulus, Er, of from about 0.01 MPa to about 100 MPa, and a gel fraction greater than 0.

A process for forming a shape memory polymer comprising curing an admixture comprising:

• a) from about 50% to about 99.9% by weight of a poly(methyl acrylate) thermoplastic polymer;
• and
• b) from about 0.1% to about 50% by weight of one or more crosslinkers;
• wherein the resulting shape memory polymer has a glass transition temperature, Tg, of from about −40° C. to about 200° C., a rubbery modulus, Er, of from about 0.01 MPa to about 100 MPa, and a gel fraction greater than 0.

A thermoset shape memory polymer comprising:

• a) a thermoplastic backbone comprising at least two linear monomers;
• and
• b) at least one crosslinker;
• wherein the shape memory polymer has a glass transition temperature, Tg, of from about −40° C. to about 200° C., a rubbery modulus, Er, of from about 0.01 MPa to about 100 MPa, and a gel fraction greater than 0.

A thermoset shape memory polymer comprising:

• a) a plurality of thermoplastic homopolymer backbones;
• and
• b) one type of crosslinker;
• wherein the shape memory polymer has a glass transition temperature, Tg, of from about −40° C. to about 200° C., a rubbery modulus, Er, of from about 0.01 MPa to about 100 MPa, and a gel fraction greater than 0.

A thermoset shape memory polymer comprising:

• a) a thermoplastic homopolymer backbone;
• and
• b) a plurality of crosslinkers;
• wherein the shape memory polymer has a glass transition temperature, Tg, of from about −40° C. to about 200° C., a rubbery modulus, Er, of from about 0.01 MPa to about 100 MPa, and a gel fraction greater than 0.

A thermoset shape memory polymer comprising:

• a) a plurality of thermoplastic copolymer backbones wherein each copolymer comprises at least one different monomer than the other copolymers;
• and
• b) at least one crosslinker;
• wherein the shape memory polymer has a glass transition temperature, Tg, of from about −40° C. to about 200° C., a rubbery modulus, Er, of from about 0.01 MPa to about 100 MPa, and a gel fraction greater than 0.