Service Systems for Shape Memory Technology

Abstract

Shape memory alloys (SMA) are well-known for their ability to transform into an imprinted shape by means of thermal activation (pseudoplasticity) or after a mechanical deformation (pseudoelasticity). The thermal effects can be used in a wide range of industrial applications like valves, unlocking devices or comfort applications in the field of automotive mechatronics. While there are many ideas concerning shape memory actuators, only few thoughts have been spent on service applications around these unique actuators. At present, product-related services are usually considered as an add-on to the actual product. But in future, industrialized countries are subject to a structural change toward service societies. For this reason, new concepts and methods which enable the companies to design the potential services in an optimal way are necessary already during the development of a product. This is a paradigm shift from the separated consideration of products and services to a new product understanding consisting of integrated products and services. In the case of shape memory technology, recycling processes present an interesting field for such integrated services. Starting with general ideas towards recycling concepts for and with shape memory components, this paper focuses on refresh-annealing as an example of an interesting recycling process. Finally, the paper is summed up by an outlook on future works on development methods for generic shape memory actuators and their service systems. The aim of this study is to show the possibilities and the importance of services in the field of shape memory technology. As a result, new applications and markets for SMA can be developed.