title: Stress-induced stabilization of crystals in shape memory natural rubber.
abstract: In contrast to all known shape memory polymers, the melting temperature of crystals in shape memory natural rubber (SMNR) can be greatly manipulated by the application of external mechanical stress. As shown previously, stress perpendicular to the prior programming direction decreases the melting temperature by up to 40 K. In this study, we investigated the influence of mechanical stress parallel to prior stretching direction during programming on the stability of the elongation-stabilizing crystals. It was found that parallel stress stabilizes the crystals, which is indicated by linear increase of the trigger temperature by up to 17 K. The crystal melting temperature can be increased up to 126.5 °C under constrained conditions as shown by X-ray diffraction measurements.
authors.affiliation: Biomaterials & Polymer Science, Department of Biochemical and Chemical Engineering, TU Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany.
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Heuwers
authors.forename: Dominik
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Quitmann
authors.forename: Robin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hoeher
authors.forename: Frauke M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Reinders
authors.forename: Sebastian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tiemeyer
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sternemann
authors.forename: Metin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tolan
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Katzenberg
authors.forename: Joerg C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Tiller
mesh_terms: D003460:Crystallization; D012408:Rubber / Q000737:chemistry*; D044366:Transition Temperature; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
chemical_list: D012408:Rubber