Purpose　The　purpose　of　this　paper　is　to　demonstrate　the　feasibility　of　using　shape　memory　polymer　(SMP)　for　developing　vascular　stent.　In　particular,　the　expansion　performance　is　analyzed　through　extensive　modeling　and　simulation.　Design/methodology/approach　Firstly,　the　authors　construct　the　model　geometry　and　propose　a　constitutive　model　to　describe　the　deformation　of　the　stent　due　to　the　expansion　process.　The　authors　then　simulate　the　expansion　process　under　varying　conditions,　including　different　heating　rates　and　recovery　temperatures.　Finally,　the　authors　analyze　the　radial　strength　of　the　SMP　stent.　Findings　A　less　invasive　and　stable　expansion　performance　of　the　SMP　stent　is　confirmed　by　the　simulation　method.　A　fitting　function　of　the　expansion　process　is　proposed　based　on　the　characteristics　of　the　SMP.　Research　limitations/implications　-　The　effects　of　dynamic　blood　flow　on　the　SMP　stent　is　ignored.　A　fluid-structure　interaction　analysis　may　need　to　be　considered　to　give　a　more　accurate　description　of　the　behaviour　of　the　SMP　stent.　Practical　implications　-　The　findings　will　provide　guidance　for　the　rational　design　and　application　of　SMP　stents.　Social　implications　The　work　will　provide　guidance　for　the　new　generation　stent　design.　Originality/value　This　is　the　first　time　that　the　expansion　performance　of　a　SMP　stent　has　been　analyzed　both　qualitatively　and　quantitatively　through　modelling　and　simulation.