%0 book part %@ %A Wagermaier, W., Kratz, W., Heuchel, M., Lendlein, A. %D 2010 %J Advances in Polymer Science - Shape-memory Polymers %P 97-145 %R doi:10.1007/12_2009_25 %T Characterization Methods for Shape-Memory Polymers %U https://doi.org/10.1007/12_2009_25 %X Finally, as part of a comprehensive characterization, modeling approaches for simulating the thermomechanical behavior of SMPs are presented. At the beginning linear viscoelastic models were applied consisting of coupled spring, dashpot and frictional elements. More recent approaches consider in detail the specific molecular transition underlying the SME, e.g. glass or melting transition. Currently models that incorporate the strain rate dependence and time dependent behavior are under development.