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Advanced Materials Portfolio
  Essemplex™ Thermoplastic
Shape
Memory Polymer
Essemplex
is a fully formable, thermoplastic shape memory polymer (SMP)
resin. Like other thermoplastics, the polymer is easily processed
into memory shapes using conventional methods. Once formed, the
polymer exhibits shape memory properties. The
fully processed SMP can be heated and reshaped repeatedly without loss
of the memory shape or degradation of the material.
CRG Industries, CRG's sister manufacturing company, offers two versions
of Essemplex, with SMP activation temperatures of 34°C (93°F) and
43°C (109°F). The material is supplied in pelleted form.
| Temperature |
Properties |
| Above melt temperature (Tm) |
• Can be molded and cooled to
hold nearly any memory
shape
• Can be melted and remolded
into a new memory shape |
| Above activation temperature (Tg) |
• Can be shaped and cooled
into a new shape if
constrained
• Will return to original memory
shape if left unconstrained |
| Below Tg |
• Remains rigid in the desired
shape |
Features and Benefits
• Reconfigurable
• Formable
• Versatile design options
• Compatible with conventional
processing methods such as
› Injection molding
› Thermoforming
› Extrusion
Essemplex is
available
for
purchase
through
CRG's
sister
company,
CRG
Industries.
Applications
| Property* |
Essemplex AF34
|
Essemplex AB43 |
Test Method |
| Thermal |
| Glass transition temperature (Tg) |
34°C
(93°F)
|
43°C
(109°F)
|
DSC |
| Melting Point (Tm) |
147°C
(297°F)
|
225°C
(437°F)
|
DSC |
| Mechanical (at room
temperature) |
| Tensile Strength |
1200 psi
(9 MPa)**
|
7700 psi
(53 MPa)
|
ASTM D638 |
| Tensile Modulus |
---
|
350,000 psi (2400 MPa)
|
ASTM D638 |
| Tensile Elongation to Break |
210%*
|
85%
|
ASTM D638 |
• Custom molds
• Toys
• Furniture
• Architectural elements
• Smart fasteners
• Switchable mounting brackets
• Mass-produced consumer
goods
• Custom grips and handles
• Auto body parts
• Customizable, reusable molds
*Unless
otherwise noted, all measurements were taken below the Tg
of Essemplex.
**Results for AF34 from modified ASTM method.
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