Shape memory polymer composites embedded with hybrid ceramic microparticles

Smart polymeric composites have been engineered as advanced materials with superior physical properties while maintaining relatively low manufacturing cost, lightweight, and stimuli-responsive properties. We here report a unique smart composite with shape recoverability and celadon-like color. The samples were prepared by injection molding of in situ polymerized composite pellets, which consist of shape memory polyurethane (SMPU) and hybrid ceramic micro-particulates of silicon carbide and clay. The morphological, rheological, thermomechanical, and shape memory-recovery properties of the SMPU and SMPU composites were investigated. Especially, the resulting hybrid composite of SMPU/SiC/clay shows green celadon-like color, good formability, high thermal stability, and 1.8 times higher tensile strength compared to the pure SMPU. The smart hybrid composite reported here shows the possibility of ceramic-like polymeric materials. (paper)