Combined shape memory alloy phenomena: A novel approach to extend applications of shape memory alloys

Abstract

The present study introduces a novel approach enabling new applications of shape memory alloys by combining different shape memory alloy phenomena during use. It is shown that the shape memory effect can be exploited and combined with superelasticity. This is realized by a change of transformation temperatures due to the formation of nano-sized precipitates. In contrast to the conventional design of components only aiming at one phenomena, i.e., tailoring the precipitate size first to set the predefined functional properties, in the present approach the precipitates are formed during activation of the shape memory effect.