Triple‐shape memory materials based on cross‐linked ethylene‐acrylic acid copolymer and ethylene‐vinyl acetate copolymer

Abstract The blends of ethylene‐acrylic acid copolymer (EAA) and ethylene‐vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) with triple‐shape memory effect was fabricated using dicumyl peroxide (DCP) as the crosslinking agent. The mechanical properties and thermal properties were carried out by the universal testing machine and differential scanning calorimetry, respectively. Furthermore, the triple‐shape memory behavior of the prepared EAA/EVA blends and EAA/EVA blends crosslinked by DCP were characterized by the shape fixity ratio and shape recovery ratio which were used as the evaluation standards. The blends exhibited the prominent shape memory properties, for example, the first shape fixity ratio was about 90%, the second shape fixity ratio was about 90%, while the first shape recovery ratio was about 100% and the second shape recovery ratio was about 90%. Moreover, the material had a stable shape memory behavior. This novel shape memory polymers expected to have a potential application in smart devices.