Effects of addition of hindered phenol compounds to a segmented polyurethane with shape memory on mechanical yielding

The mechanical yielding behavior of the shape memory polyurethane (SMP) and its composite samples were investigated to verify the effect of addition of hindered phenol. The composite samples were prepared using SMP as matrix and hindered phenol (AO-80) as filler, and then tensile tests were carried out at a range of temperatures and with different fixed crosshead speeds. According to the tensile data at 25 °C, the yield stress was increased by adding AO-80. In terms of the Eyring theory, the activation volume of deformation units decreased with increase of the amount of AO-80 added. This is because the packing of the hard segments is enhanced by addition of AO-80. Consequently, it was suggested that the yield process is caused by the rotation of hard segment domains within the deformed plastic domains composed of glassy soft segments.