US 11,926,932 B2
Multi-component shape memory threads, fibers, tubes, tapes and method for producing the same
Yong Zhu, Hong Kong (HK); Song Wang, Hong Kong (HK); Jianping Han, Hong Kong (HK); and Chenmin Liu, Hong Kong (HK)
Assigned to Nano and Advanced Materials Institute Limited, Hong Kong (HK)
Filed by Nano and Advanced Materials Institute Limited, Hong Kong (HK)
Filed on Jun. 10, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/344,929.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/102,630, filed on Jun. 24, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2021/0404093 A1, Dec. 30, 2021
Int. Cl. D01F 8/04 (2006.01); C08L 75/06 (2006.01); C08L 75/08 (2006.01); D02G 3/04 (2006.01); D02G 3/38 (2006.01)
CPC D01F 8/04 (2013.01) [C08L 75/06 (2013.01); C08L 75/08 (2013.01); D02G 3/045 (2013.01); D02G 3/38 (2013.01); C08L 2201/12 (2013.01); C08L 2203/12 (2013.01); C08L 2205/025 (2013.01); D10B 2401/046 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. Multi-component shape memory threads, fibers, tubes, or tapes comprising:
at least two shape-memory polymeric (SMP-N) components, wherein each of the at least two SMP-N components is of at least 1% of the total weight, and N is a positive integer starting from 1;
wherein each of the at least two shape-memory polymeric components is selected from the group consisting of a polyester-based polyurethane shape memory material and a polyether-based polyurethane shape memory material;
wherein the SMP-N components have a selectively engineered shape recovery temperature (Tr) between approximately 0° C. to 130° C., and when TrN and TrN+1 are higher than room temperature and wherein TrN+1 is greater than TrN, the threads, fibers, tubes, or tapes are configured to assume a first shape change from an original shape to a straight, elongated shape in response to an elongation of the threads, fibers, tubes, or tapes to approximately 30% to approximately 300% of an original length and are configured to assume a second shape change to a substantially helical configuration upon heating to a temperature above the TrN and lower than the TrN+1 and to assume a third shape change substantially back to the original shape upon heating to a temperature above TrN+1.