| Summary: | <p> Polymer composites are taking the place of traditional materials in many fields. They are preferred in engineering structures due to the advantages in strength, stiffness, thermostability, corrosion resistance, and ductility at high temperatures. Study of PCL-based shape memory polymer composite can expand its application. And in order to fully understand SMP properties, a series of comprehensive testing is required. </p><p> Samples with different PCL percentages must be made by using a standard and optimized procedure to eliminate unwanted variables, and to ensure the amount of PCL in samples is the only variable. </p><p> The DSC test on the SMP samples shows that there are two transition phases. One is at 53 °C and indicated as PCL melting temperature; another one is at 138.5 °C, indicated to be the glass transition phase. </p><p> Shape memory behavior tests on the SMP samples show that the PCL-based polymer composite has significant shape recovery ability. The ability of recovery is proportional with the amount of PCL in the sample. And the recovery performance is shown in both strain and stress recovery. </p><p> The mechanical properties of SMP composite are determined by compression tests. Tests are performed on each specimen with different PCL percentages. The maximum compressive stress is higher in specimens that have a higher amount of PCL, and this result agrees with results from the shape memory test. </p><p> Finally, the SMP composites are observed with SEM. A unique globule structure is shown in the specimens regardless of their PCL percentages. This globule structure is totally different from the structure in pure epoxy. The reason for this difference is still unknown and needs to be determined with further research.</p><p>
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