pps proceeding - Abstract Preview
pps proceeding
Symposium: S02 - Polymer Blends and Alloys
Poster Presentation
 
 

DUAL AND MULTIPLE-SHAPE MEMORY EFFECTS IN MISCIBLE PLLA/PMMA BLENDS

SAMUEL Cedric (1)*, BARRAU Sophie (2), STOCLET Gregory (2), LEFEBVRE Jean-Marc (2), RAQUEZ Jean-Marie (1), DUBOIS Philippe (1)

(1) University of Mons, Laboratory of Polymeric and Composite Materials - MONS - Belgium, (2) Université Lille 1, Unité Matériaux et Transformations, CNRS UMR 8207 - Villeneuve d'Ascq - France

Shape-memory polymers (SMPs) are found in many smart applications and, recently, multiple shape-memory properties have attracted a lot of attention. However, the design of such systems requires the synthesis of complex polymer architectures. A robust and easy approach on the basis of miscible PLA/PMMA blends is here reported. First, dual shape memory performances were accessed by DMA on the basis of the fixity ratio (the ability to maintain the temporary shape), the recovery ratio (the ability to recover the initial shape) and the switch temperature. Fixity ratios between 99 and 100% are observed and all PLLA / PMMA blends efficiently maintain the intermediate shape. The switch temperature smoothly increases with PMMA content, reflecting the miscibility between PLLA and PMMA. Concerning recovery, pure PLLA badly memorizes it, as observed by a low recovery ratio (22%) at high stretching strain. In contrast, pure PMMA displays very good shape-memory performances with recovery ratios as high as 93% and the use of 40% PMMA into PLLA allows to maintain high recovery performances. Interestingly, the 50% PLLA / 50% PMMA blend displays a very broad glass transition, centered on 75°C and ranging from 60°C to 100°C, that can be use for multiple-shape memory effects. A triple-shape memory effect was subsequently attempted and the influence of the stretching temperature was first addressed. The recovery significantly shifts to higher temperature according to the stretching temperature, indicating a "temperature-memory effect". Therefore, upon a double-stretching process, a triple-shape memory effect is efficiently observed and the intermediate shape could be controlled by simply adjusting the amount of stretching strain imposed within the broad glass transition. The incorporation of a miscible PMMA fraction into PLLA played a crucial role on shape-memory performances of PLLA-based blends. High shape-memory performances were reached upon the introduction of at least 40% PMMA and a 50% PLLA / 50% PMMA blend could displayed triple-shape memory effect. Consequently, miscible PLLA / PMMA blends could represent an robust route to advanced shape memory applications.