NiTi Shape Memory Alloy Strips Research Articles

Finite element simulation and experimental investigation on the effect of temperature on pseudoelastic behavior of perforated Ni–Ti shape memory alloy strips

In the present study, the temperature-dependent pseudoelastic behavior of shape memory alloy (SMA) sheets is studied experimentally and by finite element (FE) modeling. For this purpose, temperature-dependent mechanical properties for Ni–Ti alloy materials are first obtained by using direct tensile and three-point bending experiments at 23 °C, 50 °C, and 80 °C temperatures, respectively. The structure of these materials is examined at different temperatures using SEM images and the XRD test. Furthermore, using the FE model, the pseudoelastic behavior and the effect of temperature on the residual deflection of the prose-shape memory strips with a circular hole under three-point bending loads are studied. After validating the results of the FE model with the results of experimental tests, the effects of various parameters such as the diameter and number of holes on residual deformation and residual strains are investigated. The results show that with increasing temperature, the mechanical properties including the tensile strength, Young’s modulus, yield stress, and flexural strength of SMA strips increase significantly. For solid strips, although increasing the temperature increases the maximum flexural force, in contrast, it reduces the flexural stiffness. In solid strips, flexural stiffness decreases by 5.5% with increasing temperature from 23 °C to 80 °C.

The electro-mechanical control of element NiTi shape memory alloy strip while bending, based on thermal analysis evidence

This paper presents an experimental investigation of a commercial shape memory alloy strip consisting of nickel and titanium (NiTi SMA), which correlates the thermal properties (phase transitions) with the electrical and mechanical properties of the material, allowing to be used for control applications in engineering. The bending performances of the SMA strip at different values of the activation electric current, during heating process, are also investigated. By using the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) experiments, the thermal characteristics of the SMA strip were identified. The results of this thermal analysis were the basis for determining the equilibrium temperature, entropy and force developed by the SMA strip during the phase transformation. For the study of the SMA strip, the authors have developed an experimental platform, which uses a portable reconfigurable I/O (RIO) device and LabVIEW graphical programming environment for the measurement, testing and rapid control of parameters, and a piezo-film sensor for controlling of SMA strip movement. The real-time measurements and acquired waveforms are displayed on a PC screen, and the data associated with these waveforms are stored for later use, i.e. for applications in safety engineering like the fire extinguishing control, where very short response/activation times are required.

Deformation behaviors of gradient nanostructured superelastic NiTi shape memory alloy

Deformation behaviors of the gradient nanostructured superelastic NiTi shape memory alloy strip with grain size ranging from 20 to 175 nm along the tensile axis are investigated. Compared with the commercial NiTi of uniform grain size, the gradient nanostructure leads to the increase of transformation stress as well as the morphology change, from localized deformation to homogeneous one. However, the behaviors in local different grain size regions are independent and maintain the grain-size dependent characteristics.

Physical and thermophysical properties of a commercial Ni–Ti shape memory alloy strip

Some physical properties like the thermal, thermomechanical, calorimetric, magnetic, and adhesive properties of a commercial shape memory alloy (SMA) with rectangular geometry were studied. Depending on the applied forces, there were identified range of elasticity, the elasticity–viscoelasticity coexistence domain, and the domain in which a maximum force of 18 N is applied, for the SMA strip. The controlled force module, in the tension mode, was used for the determination of the SMA strip elongation at application of the stretching forces from 0 to 13 N, at 30 °C, maintaining each static force value for 3 min. By employing the multi-frequency strain–stress modulus in the tension mode, DMA cyclic heating–cooling measurements were carried out. The measured dynamic mechanical properties for SMA strip were Storage Modulus, Loss Modulus, tanδ, and Stiffness, both at heating and cooling. Thus, the characteristic temperatures of the phase transitions (As, Af, Ms, Mf), of SMA strip were identified. Also, the values of the elasticity modulus (Young’s Modulus) of the SMA strip were calculated at 30 °C. With the DSC Q2000 device, using temperature-modulated differential scanning calorimetry method, a multi-step temperature variation program was applied to the rectangular strip in two stages (heating–cooling). Through the interpretation of heat fluxes (reversible, nonreversible, and total), the phase transitions in the formation of martensite, austenite, and also of the rhombohedral phase (R phase) and moreover enabled for the R phase identification, thermomechanical analysis confirmed the results obtained by classical DSC method. The adherence of some commercial azoic dyes on the rectangular SMA strip, as well as the modification of the surface roughness of the strip after the deposition of the dye, was also studied. By magnetic measurements, it was established that the SMA strip had magnetic properties at room temperature, in which magnetization is the sum of a superparamagnetic contribution and a paramagnetic term, linear in the intensity of the magnetizing magnetic field.

Optimal design of a bio-inspired self-healing metal matrix composite reinforced with NiTi shape memory alloy strips

Utilizing smart materials such as shape memory alloys as reinforcement in metal matrix composites is a novel method to bio-mimic self-healing. This study aims to investigate the influence of design factors of a self-healing metal matrix composite by employing the Taguchi method for designing of the experimental procedure. Three design factors, each in three levels, were studied simultaneously according to L-9 standard Taguchi orthogonal array to determine the optimal level of each factor in mechanical properties enhancement with a reduced number of experiments. Composite specimens were fabricated from Sn-13 wt.% Bi alloy as matrix and nickel–titanium shape memory alloy strips as reinforcement with gravity casting process. Matrix alloy was melted and casted in a preheated metallic mold in which SMA strips were installed in various quantities (one, two, or three strips) and different pre-strains (0%, 2%, or 6%). After fabrication of the specimens, a tensile test was conducted until fracture to specify mechanical properties. Then, specimens were placed in a furnace in three different temperatures (170°C, 180°C, and 190°C) to activate the shape memory effect of strips and achieve crack closure and healing. Specimens were tensile tested again after healing to calculate the amount of healed properties and healing efficiency. Results show that using three strips with 6% of pre-strain and applying 190°C healing temperature can maximize the ultimate tensile strength efficiency. Also, the existence of one strip, 0% pre-strain, and 190°C healing temperature creates the best circumstances for healing ductility.

Investigation of the Self-Healing Behavior of Sn-Bi Metal Matrix Composite Reinforced with NiTi Shape Memory Alloy Strips Under Flexural Loading

Utilizing intelligent materials such as shape memory alloys as reinforcement in metal matrix composites is a novel method to mimic self-healing behavior. In this study, the bending behavior of a self-healing metal matrix composite made from Sn-13 wt.% Bi alloy as matrix and NiTi shape memory alloy (SMA) strips as reinforcement is investigated. Specimens were fabricated in different reinforcement vol.% (0.78, 1.55, 2.33) and in various pre-strains (0, 2, 6%) and were healed at three healing temperatures (170°C, 180°C, 190°C). Results showed that shape recovery was accomplished in all the specimens, but not all of them were able to withstand second loading after healing. Only specimens with 2.33 vol.% of SMA strips, 1.55 vol.% of SMA, and 6% pre-strain could endure bending force after healing, and they gained 35.31–51.83% of bending force self-healing efficiency.

Deployment shock attenuation of a solar array tape hinge by means of the Martensite detwinning of NiTi Shape Memory Alloy.

This paper presents a new tape hinge for attenuating the deployment shock of a satellite solar array. This hinge uses the Martensite detwinning of Shape Memory Alloy (SMA). To attenuate the deployment shock, a NiTi SMA strip is assembled between two curved steel strips. The attenuation performance of the hinge is analyzed using a SMA detwinning constitutive equation. A prototype of the hinge is manufactured and its characteristics are measured in a bending test and in a deployment test. Finally, the deployment performance of the prototype hinge is investigated on a satellite model. It is shown that the new SMA damped tape hinge can effectively minimize the deployment shock and dynamic perturbation while also maintaining suitable deployment performance.

Morphing blades with embedded SMA strips: An experimental investigation

Abstract This paper focuses on the development and experimental testing of a composite blade for an automotive axial fan. A novel concept of morphing blade is proposed with the aim of replacing the conventional actuator systems. The structure is made up of a polymeric matrix equipped with NiTi shape memory alloy strips as active elements. The morphing blade changes its shape as the phase transformations of the strips are thermally activated by airflow. To study the morphing capability of the blade, together with the recovery behavior of the NiTi strips, four different polymeric compounds have been compared. Digital image analysis techniques have been performed to quantitatively analyze the blade deflections and to evaluate the most suitable polymeric matrix for the intended application. Finally, the blade shape modifications, which occur along the blade span during the activation cycles, have been reconstructed by three-dimensional non-contact surface detection. Results from the comparison between these two reverse engineering methods could provide a powerful support for the assessment of the aerodynamic performance of the morphing blade.

Design and Fabrication of a Soft Robotic Hand With Embedded Actuators and Sensors

This paper details the design and fabrication process of a fully integrated soft humanoid robotic hand with five finger that integrate an embedded shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator and a piezoelectric transducer (PZT) flexure sensor. Several challenges including precise control of the SMA actuator, improving power efficiency, and reducing actuation current and response time have been addressed. First, a Ni-Ti SMA strip is pretrained to a circular shape. Second, it is wrapped with a Ni-Cr resistance wire that is coated with thermally conductive and electrically isolating material. This design significantly reduces actuation current, improves circuit efficiency, and hence reduces response time and increases power efficiency. Third, an antagonistic SMA strip is used to improve the shape recovery rate. Fourth, the SMA actuator, the recovery SMA strip, and a flexure sensor are inserted into a 3D printed mold which is filled with silicon rubber materials. The flexure sensor feeds back the finger shape for precise control. Fifth, a demolding process yields a fully integrated multifunctional soft robotic finger. We also fabricated a hand assembled with five fingers and a palm. We measured its performance and specifications with experiments. We demonstrated its capability of grasping various kinds of regular or irregular objects. The soft robotic hand is very robust and has a large compliance, which makes it ideal for use in an unstructured environment. It is inherently safe to human operators as it can withstand large impacts and unintended contacts without causing any injury to human operators or damage to the environment.

Stress-induced martensitic transformation in nanometric NiTi shape memory alloy strips: An in situ TEM study of the thickness/size effect

Abstract Ultrathin NiTi miniature strips of 40–83 nm in thickness were fabricated by means of focused ion beam milling from a polycrystalline NiTi shape memory alloy. The NiTi strips were subjected to tensile deformation inside a transmission electron microscope using a self-designed tension apparatus for in situ examination of the effect of thickness on the stress induced martensitic transformation behavior in the strips. The study revealed that the transformation was completely suppressed in a strip of 40 nm in thickness whereas it was possible in thicker strips. In these strips, the stress induced martensitic transformation was found to commence sequentially in thicker strips first and then in thinner strips at higher strain (stress) levels, demonstrating the size effect. This size effect is attributed to the effect of damaged surfaces, including a Ga + -impregnated amorphous layer on one side of the strip caused by sample fabrication using FIB and oxidation affected layers on both sides. This means that the observed “size effect” is not an intrinsic behavior of the martensitic transformation in NiTi but of extrinsic influences.

Experimental study on rate dependence of macroscopic domain and stress hysteresis in NiTi shape memory alloy strips

NiTi polycrystalline shape memory alloys, when stretched, can deform through the formation and growth of localized macroscopic martensite domains. In this paper, we study the effects of stretching rate on the stress-induced domains and stress hysteresis in NiTi strips. Synchronized measurements of the nominal stress–strain curve, macroscopic domain pattern and the associated temperature field were conducted in the strain rate range of 10 −4–10 −1/s. It was found that the nominal stress–strain curve changed from the near-isothermal plateau-type with distinct stress drops at the very low strain rate to the near-adiabatic smooth hardening-type in the high strain-rate region. The corresponding deformation mode changed from the nucleation propagation mode with a few parallelepiped martensite domains to the near-homogeneous multiple-nucleation mode with many fine alternating austenite–martensite stripes. The number of the domains (domain spacing) increased (decreased) monotonically with the strain rate and followed a power law scaling, while the stress hysteresis (or material damping capacity) changed non-monotonically with the strain rate, reaching a peak at strain rate of 2.0×10 −3/s. We show that, though the rate dependence of both pattern and hysteresis originates from the transfer of the released/absorbed heat and the thermo-mechanical coupling, the domain spacing in the test of static air is mainly controlled by heat conduction and the hysteresis change is mainly controlled by the heat convection with the ambient.