Low Cost, Biodegradable, Shape Memory PCL/POE‐g‐GMA Blends With Excellent Mechanical Properties for External Fixation

ABSTRACT The development of shape memory blends with excellent mechanical, low‐cost, biodegradable, and antimicrobial properties is a key objective to achieve industrial mass production of polycaprolactone (PCL)‐based materials for radiotherapy positioning. A series of crosslinked PCL/POE‐g‐GMA blends was successfully developed through a melt blending process, utilizing a cost‐effective glycidyl methacrylate‐grafted polyolefin elastomer (POE‐g‐GMA) with PCL and the cross‐linking agent, di‐tert‐butyl isopropylbenzene peroxide (BIPB), followed by hot pressing. As the loading of POE‐g‐GMA was fixed at 10 wt.%, blends exhibited remarkable shape memory and mechanical properties as the BIPB content increased from 0 to 0.8 wt.%. Specifically, the shape fixation ratio was 100%, and the shape recovery ratio was 100%. Meanwhile, the tensile strength was measured at 39.8 ± 2.3 MPa, and the elongation at break was 1199.9 ± 32.3%. This can be primarily attributed to the appropriate degree of cross‐linking and the enhanced interfacial compatibility between components. When the loading of POE‐g‐GMA reached 20 wt.%, the blends maintained excellent mechanical and shape memory properties while further reducing the cost. In addition, blends exhibited good biodegradation performance in enzyme environment and good stability in daily use (neutral environment). A small amount of antimicrobial agent could confer excellent antimicrobial properties to the blends.