Anisotropic Shape‐Memory Elastomeric Composites: Fabrication and Testing

Anisotropic shape‐memory elastomeric composites (A‐SMEC) are fabricated by infiltrating an aligned electrospun fibrous web with an elastomer, and curing. Mechanical testing proves strong anisotropy in Young's modulus (EY), strain‐to‐failure (ϵf), and yield stress (σy) observed with averages of EY = 48.4 and 4.0 MPa, ϵf = 198 and 351%, and σy = 4.6 and 0.9 MPa for longitudinal and transverse loading directions, with respect to the fibrous web's orientation. Shape‐memory (SM) characterization reveals modest anisotropy in the shape fixing ratios (Rf), yet seemingly isotropic shape recovery (Rr) nearing completeness. Such soft, anisotropic materials may be used in laminated composite elastomers. magnified image