METHODS FOR CHANGING THE SHAPE OF A SURFACE OF A SHAPE MEMORY POLYMER ARTICLE
First Claim
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1. A method for changing the shape of a surface of an article, comprising the steps of:
- providing a curable liquid polymer precursor;
casting the precursor against a first tool assembly having a first surface structure that is planar;
curing the precursor to form a shape memory polymer substrate having a pre-set shape corresponding to the first surface structure, the substrate including a shape memory polymer;
removing the substrate from the first tool assembly;
deforming a surface of the substrate with the pre-set shape against a second tool assembly having a second surface structure that includes a microstructure, to form a deformed surface on the substrate with a deformed shape corresponding to the second surface structure, wherein the deforming step includes applying heat and pressure to the substrate;
mobilizing the shape memory polymer to shift the deformed surface from the deformed shape to the pre-set shape; and
removing a portion of the substrate from the deformed surface.
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Abstract
Methods for changing the shape of a surface of an article are disclosed. The methods may include providing a liquid polymer precursor, casting the precursor against a first tool assembly, curing the precursor to form a shape memory polymer substrate, deforming one or more surfaces of the substrate, and mobilizing the shape memory polymer to shift the deformed surface of the substrate from a deformed shape to a pre-set shape.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for changing the shape of a surface of an article, comprising the steps of:
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providing a curable liquid polymer precursor; casting the precursor against a first tool assembly having a first surface structure that is planar; curing the precursor to form a shape memory polymer substrate having a pre-set shape corresponding to the first surface structure, the substrate including a shape memory polymer; removing the substrate from the first tool assembly; deforming a surface of the substrate with the pre-set shape against a second tool assembly having a second surface structure that includes a microstructure, to form a deformed surface on the substrate with a deformed shape corresponding to the second surface structure, wherein the deforming step includes applying heat and pressure to the substrate; mobilizing the shape memory polymer to shift the deformed surface from the deformed shape to the pre-set shape; and removing a portion of the substrate from the deformed surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification