As a sort of smart materials

shape memory polymers (SMPs) have outstanding features and excellent performance with high research and practical values.Especially in recent years

novel methods and new material systems for SMPs spring up at an increasing rate

showing great potential for development.This article summarizes the latest progress in blending methods

including direct blending of polymers

blending with the aid of compatibilizers

blending by microlayer coextrusion

and blending based on the 3D networks from electrospinning.Compared to chemical synthesis methods

these blending methods are efficient

simple to operate

available for wider diversity of raw materials

convenient to manipulate product properties

environment-friendly

and achieve products with equal or better performance

which facilitate blending method to be a major trend of preparing SMPs in the future.In this article

the features and advantages of different blending methods are analyzed from the aspects of preparation processes

microstructures and shape memory properties of the products

with the purpose of spurring future developments.