ABSTRACT

In comparison to SMA polymeric shape memory materials show the advantages of large elastic deformation (e.g. several hundred percents of strain), low cost, low density, potential biocompatibility and biodegradability. Other important properties are a broad range of application temperatures that can be well adjusted by the polymer chemist and a tunable stiffness. In addition SMPs are easily formed into a variety of complex shapes and sizes using standard processing methods such as extrusion, molding or forming that are normally used in manufacturing processes of plastics.