Thermoresponsive Shape Memory Fibers for Compression Garments

Abstract

Their highly deformable properties make shape memory polymers (SMP) a promising component for the development of new compression garments. The shape memory effect (SME) can be observed when two polymers are combined. In here, polycaprolactone (PCL) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) were melt spun in different arrangement types (blend, core-sheath, and island-in-sea), whereas the best SME was observed for the blend type. In order to trigger the SME, this yarn was stimulated at a temperature of 50 °C. It showed a strain fixation of 62%, a strain recovery of 99%, and a recovery stress of 2.7 MPa.