Modeling and Validation of Shape Memory Polymer Thermomechanical Behavior

Shape memory polymers can hold a temporary shape after pre-deformation at a high temperature and cooling to a lower temperature. Reheating of the shape memory polymers cause them to recover to the original shape of polymer. Constitutive models and simulation of these models have a critical role in the prediction of the deformation, and recovery of shape memory polymers under various features. In this study, simulation of Liu et al constitutive model by SIMULIMK/MATLAB interface in a thermomechanical cycle has been developed. The model is used to explore shape memory effect and the recovery process of the shape memory polymers. The experiments are performed at different pre-strain levels including undeformed, tensioned and compressed conditions. A good consistency between the experimental data and the simulation of the Liu et al model is observed.