Shape-memory effects of a hydro-epoxy resin system

A novel shape-memory hydro-epoxy resin system was prepared from hydro-epoxy, poly(propylene glycol) diglycidyl ether, and menthane diamine. The relationships between the thermomechanical properties of the system and structural changes were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical analysis, and bending tests. The shape-memory behavior of the hydro-epoxy resin was also characterized by performing a U-type shape-memory test. The results indicate that this novel shape-memory hydro-epoxy resin has good shape-memory performance, its shape recovery ratio (R _r) is almost 100 %, and full recovery is observed after just a few minutes. The glass transition temperature (Tg) of the resin was determined using dynamic mechanical analysis, and the results indicate that Tg decreases from 107 to 65 °C as the poly(propylene glycol) diglycidyl ether content is increased, which means that the Tg of the polymer can be modulated within a certain range by varying the poly(propylene glycol) diglycidyl ether content in order to meet different requirements.