Shape/temperature memory phenomena in un-crosslinked poly-ɛ-caprolactone (PCL)

• The shape/temperature memory phenomena in unmodified thermoplastic poly-ɛ-caprolactone were investigated.
• Effects of factors, such as, deformation method/temperature, sample size, and heating method, were evaluated.
• The underlying mechanism for the shape memory effect is proposed.

The shape/temperature memory phenomena based on melting in unmodified thermoplastic poly-ɛ-caprolactone (PCL) (i.e., without chemical-cross-linking) were investigated systematically. Effects of factors, such as, deformation method (uniaxial tension/compression, indentation), deformation temperature, sample size, and heating method, on the shape memory effect were evaluated. Based on these results, the underlying mechanism for the shape memory effect in chemically un-crosslinked PCL (based on melting) is proposed.

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