Effects of programming temperature/strain on free shape recovery of acrylic

• Main Author: Koh, Javan Wei Shen
• Other Authors: Huang Weimin
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2024
• Subjects: Engineering
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/176530
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

This research paper investigates the stress evolution of pre-stretched memory polymers during thermal cycling, employing Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) testing as the primary methodology. Specifically, the study focuses on Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA) and examines strain recovery upon heating. Samples of 1.5mm thickness PMMA were sourced from a Chinese Supplier for analysis. The study aims to determine the optimal programming temperature and strain necessary to achieve optimal shape memory performance in PMMA by assessing strain recovery upon thermal cycling under a Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer (DMA). Through systematic analysis, this research seeks to contribute to a better understanding of the mechanical behaviour of memory polymers and inform the development of optimised processing parameters for enhanced material performance.