Shape memory effects of EVM-GMA/PVC blends

Abstract

In this paper, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) masterbatch, prepared using ethylene-vinyl acetate-glycidyl methacrylate terpolymer (EVM-GMA) as a polymer plasticizer replacing traditional harmful ester, was blended with EVM-GMA in melt and then cured by peroxide in a compression mold to prepare EVM-GMA/PVC blends. The results showed that with the increase of PVC, physical and mechanical properties have improved significantly. Two phases in blends formed a “sea-island” structure and the interface was blurred. Blends riched in EVM-GMA all had excellent dual shape memory properties. After removing applied force, there was only a slight recovery of the instantaneous elastic deformation and blends still retained the original temporary shape (the shape fixation was more than 99%). The shape recovery efficiency of specimen (EVM-GMA/PVC = 90/10) was the highest, which evidenced that entropy elastic effect of molecular chains and elastic restoring force provided by crosslinked structure achieved a balance at this point.

Effects of maleic anhydride on the moisture crosslinking of EVM‐GMA grafted with amino silane

“…The only difference is that the epoxy side group in the glycidyl methacrylate group (GMA) provides more possibilities for modifying EVM and achieving more vulcanization methods. 12,13 Moisture crosslinking originated from the successful cure of polyethylene (PE) 14 and then began to be applied to polyolefins such as polypropylene (PP) and ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM). [15][16][17] Generally, moisture crosslinking consists of two processes: silane grafting and hydrolysis condensation of alkoxy groups.…”

“…Recently, Arlanxeo has developed a new type of ethylene‐vinyl acetate‐glycidyl methacrylate rubber (EVM‐GMA), which has a similar structure to EVM. The only difference is that the epoxy side group in the glycidyl methacrylate group (GMA) provides more possibilities for modifying EVM and achieving more vulcanization methods 12,13 …”