Thermomechanical Characterization of Shape Memory Alloy Tubular Composite Structures

Abstract

Currently, thin NiTi wires have been considered for producing knitted and woven smart textiles with anticipated unique thermomechanical properties promising a wide range of new industrial applications. We propose a concept of NiTi tubular composite structures which enhances functional properties of single NiTi wires and offers new possibilities of their use. Such possibilities are provided by the combination of SMA properties with the geometrical architecture and properties of polymers incorporated into the tubular structures. Our study deals with the manufacture of the NiTi tubular composite structures and their thermomechanical properties under a uniaxial loading. Quasi-static properties and the strain-rate dependence are investigated in tension. We propose a way of producing novel SMA tubular composite structures. The designed composite samples exhibit thermomechanical properties characterized by the thermomechanical interaction between a NiTi tubular structure and incorporated polymers.