Multi-Material Shape Memory Polymers: Design Considerations and Implementation

Abstract

Shape memory polymers (SMP) are material systems capable of changing shape in response to external stimuli. By integrating multiple materials in the same system, the shape SMPs' can produce multiple shape/geometrical changes proportional to the number of constituents. Multi-material Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) introduced new development possibilities regarding SMPs. However, materials integration is limited due to the affinity of polymeric materials. This research proposes a design framework adapted for multi-material printing for lowcompatibility polymers to solve some of these limitations. This way, using some design principles for FFF and multi-material printing can integrate two or more materials into the same component. In the end, the principles were used to print and test eight TPU/PLA-based SMSs.