| Abstract: | Binding of polyethylene glycols to any fibrous substrate (such as a natural cellulosic or wool, or synthetic fibers polyester, polyamide or polyolefin) is achieved by in situ network polymerization with polyfunctional resins and acid catalysts. The modified substrates contain crosslinked polyethylene glycols that impart several improved functional properties. Two of these properties (thermal adaptability and reversible shrinkage in the wet and dry states) make it appropriate to categorize the modified fibrous substrates as “intelligent materials”. The thermal and dimensional/shape memories of the substrates are influenced and, hence, controlled by the molecular weight of the polyol, crosslink density, curing conditions to affix the polyol and construction of the fibrous substrate. Verification of these effects has been noted by thermal analysis and infrared thermography (for thermal memories) and by measurement of power generated and work performed during wet shrinkage of appropriate substrates (for shape memories). Numerous potential commercial applications are described and some are being actively pursued. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |
