Modeling Shape-Memory Behavior of Polymers

Shape-memory behavior in polymers allows the material to undergo large controllable shape changes in response to a specific environmental stimulus. The shape-memory performance depends on the coordination of multiple physical mechanisms, and considerable opportunities exist to tailor the polymer structure and shape-memory programming procedure to achieve the desired performance. Because of the inherent complexity of the material response, theoretical and computational models provide efficient tools to explore different combinations of design options. They also provide an investigative platform to evaluate the importance of various physical mechanisms for the shape-memory response and determine the relationship between polymer properties and shape-memory performance. This article reviews recent advances in constitutive modeling of thermally induced and photo-induced shape-memory behavior in polymers.