SHAPE MEMORY POLYURETHANE FOR SMART GARMENT

Thermal-responsive shape-memory polyurethane consists of two phases, a thermally reversible phase for maintaining a transient shape and fixed phase structure for recovering the original shape. The use of shape memory polyurethane in clothing is a novel concept. The aim of this paper is to introduce the application of shape memory polyurethane to smart clothing, whose thermal insulation value could be change depending on the change of temperature of the external environment to give comfort regardless of weather change. Thus a review on the shape memory polyurethane is introduced: the mechanism of the shape memory polyurethane is described; the difference between ordinary polyurethane and shape memory polyurethane, the research on shape memory polyurethane and its potential application to smart garment are summarized; the work being carried out in the Hong Kong Polytechnic University are also introduced. © 2002 Emerald Group Publishing Limited.