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US 9,540,481 B2Granted
Post polymerization cure shape memory polymers
AssigneeLawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
InventorsThomas S. Wilson, Michael Keith Hearon, II, Jane P. Bearinger
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Abstract
This invention relates to chemical polymer compositions, methods of synthesis, and fabrication methods for devices regarding polymers capable of displaying shape memory behavior (SMPs) and which can first be polymerized to a linear or branched polymeric structure, having thermoplastic properties, subsequently processed into a device through processes typical of polymer melts, solutions, and dispersions and then crossed linked to a shape memory thermoset polymer retaining the processed shape.
Claims15
A method comprising:
- forming a polymer composition comprising a thermoplastic polymer:
- (a) having shape memory properties and crosslinkable sites substantially regularly spaced from each other, (b) which comprises at least one of a back bone and a side chain having an electron withdrawing group with alpha and beta positions, a methyne carbon in the alpha position, and an unsaturated carbon-carbon double bond in the beta position;
- forming the polymer composition into a shape;
- crosslinking the shaped thermoplastic polymer to form a thermoset polymer having shape memory properties;
- wherein the thermoplastic polymer is a polyurethane.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.