New shape-memory materials (SMMs) for applications in active control and morphing structures have been attracting special attention due to its unique properties. These SMM can be metallic alloys (SMAs), piezoelectric, and polymers such as polyurethanes (SMPUs). The latter detain higher recovery rates but better processability, however, the reaction time is longer when compared with the SMA. The addition of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to SMPU seems to improve its overall properties with a great deal of potential in what concerns improved shape memory. There are two main techniques to attain SMPU/CNts nanocomposites: in situ polymerization and mechanical melt mixing. The study here presented establishes a comparison between these two techniques. To assess the suitability of the latter a rather extensive characterization was carried out. The homogeneity of the CNTs dispersion into the polymer matrix was established through SEM and the thermal characterization has shown a rise in the glass transition temperature consistent with CNT loading. Furthermore, shape memory seems to improve with the nanoparticle reinforcement. Within the two processing techniques it could be referred that melt processing seems to be simpler to use with better laboratory repeatability, thus detaining a greater potential should nanocomposite tailoring at a larger scale be envisaged.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.