Infrared laser-activated shape memory polymer

This paper is concerned about the drive of shape memory styrene copolymer through an infrared optical fiber carrying infrared laser. The infrared laser was chosen to drive the SMP through the optical fiber embedded into the SMP. The working frequency of infrared laser was installed in 3-4μm, the working band of optical fiber was 1-6μm. An optical fiber was embedded into the SMP for delivery of 3-4μm laser light for activation. The surface of the optical fiber was etched by the aqueous solution of sodium-hydroxide in order to increase transmission efficiency of the optical fiber. We synthesized thermoset SMP based on styrene copolymer, and measured Tg of SMP is the 53.7oC by the DMA. The thermally activated SMP is possible to initiate an originally shape by a touchless and highly selective infrared laser stimulus. The infrared laser-activated SMP could be recovered its original shape by less temperature than Tg, it was proved this driving method of SMP is more effective than conventional external heaters. Therefore infrared laseractivated method was advantageous for using in the low temperature condition. The increase in temperature of SMP which was embedded treated optical fiber indicated that the infrared laser irradiated into the SMP from here and heated the SMP. The optical fiber was treated by the aqueous solution of sodium-hydroxide, transmission efficiency of the optical fiber increased, and the total contact area between SMP and the optical fiber. The infrared laser stimulation of SMP was interest for actuator systems as well as medical applications.