PEEK modified PLA shape memory blends: towards enhanced mechanical and deformation properties

Abstract

Polylactic acid (PLA) is one of the most promising shape memory polymers with outstanding biocompatibility, while poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) is a special engineering plastic with excellent mechanical performance. In this work, PEEK was selected to modify PLA, and a series of PLA blended with different PEEK contents (PLA/PEEK blends) were obtained. The effects of PEEK on thermodynamic, mechanical and shape memory properties of PLA/PEEK blends were investigated. The results showed that the thermal stability of the PLA/PEEK blend was improved with the PEEK content increase. The tensile strength reached the highest value of 20.6 MPa when the PEEK content was 10%. While the best shape memory performance occurred with the PEEK content of 15%, the shape recovery time was less than 2 s, and the shape fixation/recovery ratio was more than 99%. Furthermore, the programmable mimetic flower opening process was achieved by using PLA/PEEK blends with different PEEK content ratios. The above results indicated that the blend of an appropriate proportion of PEEK had positive effects on mechanical and deformation performances of PLA.

Keywords

poly(ether ether ketone) / polylactic acid / shape memory polymer / smart material

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