Research Projects

3D printing of shape memory materials (4D printing) can print complex structures that can retain their permanent shape. However, even though the process of 4D printing is not expensive, the cost of shape memory polymer material is twenty times higher than that of conventional polymers. Therefore, it is very important to identify a judicious combination of sMP with the available low-cost conventional polymer without sacrificing mechanical properties and shape recovery behavior. The combination of sMP-conventional polymer is possible either by physical blending through the extrusion route or layered blending using the 4D printing approach. Either of the techniques would reduce the amount of effective sMPs used and thereby the overall cost of the product. Therefore, it is important to compare and contrast the above-mentioned processing routes and arrive at an economically viable solution. The proposed study performs a detailed experimental study to identify the proper material combination that would unveil their unique potential as a material to be used in the aforesaid fields of applications at a low cost. This proposed study minimizes sMP percentage at two levels (i) blending of sMPs with conventional polymer and (ii) sandwich patterned structures of blended and conventional polymers without sacrificing the mechanical and shape recovery characteristics.