Characteristics of Polymer Materials with New Smart Utilities

Abstract

Modern technologies more and more often rely on the use of intelligent (also known as “smart”) materials exhibiting unique utilities and properties. The state of knowledge on intelligent polymers ranges from diagnostic research to a more extensive body of knowledge, combined with the knowledge of practical methods for manufacturing these materials. Based on a review of the literature of the subject, this paper describes the existing smart polymer materials. It also presents examples of applications for these new materials. In the further part of the paper an example of how the concept of smart materials can be used in new polymeric products to influence selected mechanical properties when the surrounding temperature changes. The new material or the acquisition of different properties was created by undercutting or selecting the correct thickness and type of polymer layer from which the new product is made. The example of own research, apart from their analysis, ends with conclusions of an applicative nature.

Keywords

• polymer materials
• stimuli-responsive smart polymer materials
• mechanical properties