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Stability and deterioration of a shape memory polymer fabric composite under thermomechanical stress

Incorporation of fibres and fabrics in SMPs is often accompanied with deterioration of thermo-mechanical properties and loss of shape memory effect. This pioneering paper reports on a specially designed woven fabrics with SMP coating that undergoes various cyclic stresses under different conditions without causing significant deterioration. An important finding which can have implications in medical devices’ designs e.g. venous leg bandaging and casting. A filled patent (UK GB0908036.7, 2009) encompasses these features. A timely research as SMPs are increasingly being considered for various medical device applications. This work also formed part of PhD thesis of Ahmad (2011, Supervisor Miraftab)