Quadruple-shape-memory effect of TPI/LDPE/HDPE composites

Shape-memory polymers are important smart materials with potential applications in smart textiles, medical devices, and sensors. We prepared trans-1,4-polyisoprene, low-density polyethylene (LDPE), and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) shape-memory composites using a simple mechanical blend method. The mechanical, thermal, and shape-memory properties of the composites were studied. Our results showed that the shape-memory composites could memorize 3 temporary shapes, as revealed by the presence of broad melting transition peaks in the differential scanning calorimetry curves. In the trans-1,4-polyisoprene/LDPE/HDPE composites, the cross-linked network and the crystallization of the LDPE and HDPE portions can serve as fixed domains, and all crystallizations can act as reversible domains. We proposed a schematic diagram to explain the vital role of the cross-linked network and the crystallization in the shape-memory process.