Shape Memory Alloy Structures Research Articles

Effects of self-expandable pedicle screws with shape memory alloy structures on spinal fixation strength: A finite element study.

In many spine surgeries, pedicle screws are commonly used to stabilize vertebrae, however, loosening can be a complication. Different designs have shown improvements in fixation strength, with self-expandable screws featuring shape memory alloy (SMA) structures being of particular interest. This study aimed to assess the fixation strength of self-expandable pedicle screws made with SMA (specifically Nickel-Titanium) sheets. Three types of screws were evaluated: self-expandable screws with a smooth SMA surface, self-expandable screws with a porous SMA surface, and standard design screws. Each screw underwent pullout tests for comparison. Following the tests, the self-expandable screw with a porous surface exhibited the highest pullout force (1141.83 N), compared to 1056.86 N for the smooth self-expandable screw and 1104.25 N for the standard screw. The dissipated plastic strain energy differed among the screws, with values of 0.073 J for the porous self-expandable screw, 0.065 J for the smooth self-expandable screw, and 0.089 J for the standard pedicle screw. Notably, the porous self-expandable screw showed reduced stress on the bone-screw interface. Improving the mechanical design of pedicle screws could significantly enhance screw-bone fixation strength. The utilization of self-expandable pedicle screws with porous surface SMA sheets demonstrates superior performance, potentially mitigating complications like loosening.

Effect of temperature-deformation regimes of equal channel angular pressing in core-shell mode on the structure and properties of near-equiatomic titanium nickelide shape memory alloy

Near-equiatomic titanium nickelide (TiNi) shape memory alloy is subjected to thermomechanical treatment by quasi-continuous equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) in core-shell mode at temperatures of 250, 300, and 400°С at the highest possible accumulated true strain. TiNi bulk samples are successfully deformed for the first time at 300°С – the temperature threshold for dynamic polygonization – at an accumulated true strain e of 2.4. Deformation at low temperatures leads to the premature destruction of TiNi samples in the second pass (e = 1.6), providing high deformation hardening and corresponding strength characteristics. An increase in the deformation temperature to 400°С allows an accumulated true strain of 5.6, while the mechanical and functional properties are inferior to those that occur after deformation at low temperatures. The most balanced combination of properties is achieved after quasi-continuous ECAP in core-shell mode at 300°С and subsequent post-deformation annealing at 400°С for 1 h: dislocation yield stress σy = 1040 MPa, ultimate tensile strength σв = 1166 MPa, and total recoverable strain Ɛrt = 10.3 %.

Impact of Cu/W rate on thermal properties, crystal structure and microstructure of NiTiCuW shape memory alloys

Impact of Cu/W rate on thermal properties, crystal structure and microstructure of NiTiCuW shape memory alloys

An analytical study on SMA beam-column actuators for anti-buckling phenomenon

The present paper focuses on studying the anti-buckling behavior of prismatic martensitic shape memory alloy (SMA) beam-columns. It combines analytical and semi-analytical approaches to investigate the process of column straightening for anti-buckling. We try to comprehensively describe this phenomenon and develop a mathematical model to formulate each step of the anti-buckling problem. Due to the complex stress–strain behavior of SMA material, nine different stages of stress-height diagrams may potentially occur during this effect; thus, for facilitating the design process of SMA structures, corresponding forces and moments to each stage, are analytically derived. Our demonstration establishes that the primary cause of beam-column straightening is not the uniformity of stress, but rather the achievement of uniform strain across all fibers of the cross-section. This uniform strain distribution implies that the curvature of the beam-column diminishes to zero.

Topology optimization structure design of shape memory alloy with multiple constraints

As an emerging functional material, shape memory alloy (SMA) exhibits remarkable mechanical properties and finds diverse applications across industries. This paper presents a topology optimization framework based on the bi-directional evolutionary structural optimization (BESO) method for designing SMA structures, which maximizes structural stiffness under multiple constraints of specified volume fraction, displacement, and fundamental frequency. A phenomenological constitutive model is utilized to simulate the mechanical behavior of SMA accurately. The unit virtual load method is employed to determine sensitivities. Several optimized SMA beam structures and simply-supported cube structures are designed under different thermal-mechanical loads, and their displacement, mean compliance, and fundamental frequency are evaluated throughout the optimization process. The results demonstrate that the proposed framework successfully customizes the SMA topology structure with adjustable displacement and fundamental frequency, and the optimized schemes exhibit more considerable deformation and more uniform mechanical properties than their initial counterparts. The proposed framework has higher computational efficiency than the traditional SIMP-based SMA topology optimization design method.

Gd Effect on Micro-Crystal Structure and Thermomagnetic Behavior of NiMnSn Magnetic Shape Memory Alloy

In this study, the rare earth Gadolinium (Gd) element was added to the NiMnSn alloy, which is an alternative to the NiMnGa alloy group, with the increasing popularity of magnetic shape memory alloys. Since rare earth elements have strategic importance for our country in recent years, Gd element has been preferred in this study. X-rays and SEM-EDX analysis were performed to determine the morphological properties of the crystal structure and microstructure of the alloys. Magnetic measurements of the alloys were made with the physical property measuring device and it was determined that the magnetization values decreased with the addition of Gd.

Topology Optimization of Shape Memory Alloy Actuators for Prescribed Two-Way Transforming Shapes

This paper proposes a new topology optimization formulation for obtaining shape memory alloy actuators which are designed with prescribed two-way transforming shapes. The actuation behaviors of shape memory alloy structures are governed by austenite-martensite phase transformations effected by thermal-mechanical loading processes; therefore, to realize the precise geometric shape variations of shape memory alloy actuators, traditional methods involve iteration processes including heuristic structural design, numerical predictions and experimental validation. Although advanced structural optimization methods such as topology optimization have been used to design three-dimensional (3D) shape memory alloy actuators, the maximization/minimization of quantities such as structural compliance or inaccurate stroke distances has usually been selected as the optimization objective to obtain feasible solutions. To bridge the gap between precise shape-morphing requirements and efficient shape memory alloy actuator designs, this paper formulates optimization criteria with quantitatively desired geometric shapes, and investigates the automatic designs of two-way prescribed shape morphing shape memory alloy structures based on the proposed topology optimization method. The super element method and adjoint method are used to derive the analytical sensitivities of the objective functions with respect to the design variables. Numerical examples demonstrate that the proposed method can obtain 3D actuator designs that have the desired two-way transforming shapes.

Seismic behaviour of self-centring hybrid steel frames equipped with SMA plates under mainshock–aftershock sequences

This paper focuses on the mechanical behaviour, seismic application in steel frame connections and steel structure of shape memory alloy (SMA) plates. This study commenced by examining the hysteretic response of SMA plates subjected to cyclic tension tests, considering two different loading paths. Subsequently, a self-centring steel frame connection equipped with SMA plates and washers (SC-PW) was examined via quasi-static cyclic loading tests, and comparatively satisfactory self-centring behaviour was observed. However, the degradation of the initial stiffness of the SC-PW due to an initial imperfection was observed. An improvement strategy was proposed to overcome the degradation of the hysteretic behaviour (e.g., initial stiffness) of the SC-PW. Disc springs with a larger stiffness and preloads were introduced to overcome the degradation of the initial stiffness of the SC-PW, and the validation was confirmed via detailed finite element (FE) analyses. To improve the computation efficiency, a simplified FE model was developed to reproduce the hysteretic responses of the connection. Based on the simplified FE model, a six-storey prototype structure, i.e., a self-centring hybrid steel frame (SCHSF), equipped with the improved connection was developed, and the structural dynamic responses were investigated via nonlinear response history analyses, where mainshock–aftershock sequences were considered. The influence of the SMA material properties on the seismic behaviour of the prototype structure was investigated.

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Heat Treatment Effect on Thermal, Micro-Crystal Structure and Magnetic Behavior of Ni45Mn40Sn10Cu5 Heusler Shape Memory Alloy

Ni-Mn-Sn-based Heusler alloys are important materials that have potential applications as environmentally friendly smart materials with beneficial properties as well as being magnetic. Both the magnetic field-induced reverse martensitic transformation and the high operating temperature are crucial for the applications of Ni-Mn-Sn-based magnetic shape memory alloys. In this study, martensite transformation temperatures were determined by applying different heat treatments (700 °C, 900 °C, 1100 °C) to Ni45Mn40Sn10Cu5 sample produced by Arc Melter melting method. While reverse conversion was observed in T2 (no heat treatment) and 700°C heat treatment, no reverse conversion was observed at 900°C and 1100°C. When the X-ray diffractogram was examined, martensite phase and γ phase were determined. When the magnetic hysteresis of the samples was examined, it was observed that the magnetic saturation went towards zero with the increase in heat treatment and accordingly, there was a decrease in the magnetization effect.

An Explicit Modeling for the Pseudoelastic Response of Porous SMA Thick-Walled Cylinders under Internal and External Pressure

Shape-memory alloy (SMA) structures, either dense or porous, are widely used because of their functional characteristics arising from shape-memory effect and pseudoelasticity. Hence, the precise modeling of these materials is essential due to design issues. In this study, the solution algorithm based on an explicit phenomenological constitutive model is investigated to analyze pressurized cylinders. The proposed method is extracted following return mapping scheme to find the evolution of phase transformation in these structures. The formulation is validated by comparing uniaxial tension–compression curves during loading, unloading and thermal actuation against published literature. By the aid of this model, assuming elastic and phase transformation strains, a comprehensive study is presented to inspect stress, strain and displacement fields along the thickness of internally and externally pressurized thick-walled cylinders. To this end, the governing nonlinear equation in elastic–inelastic zones is discretized by the efficient method of generalized differential quadrature (GDQ) and the resultant relations are solved numerically. The influences of internal and external pressure on stress distribution along the cylinder wall during loading–unloading for different temperatures including phase transformation and saturation states are discussed. Also, the closed-form solution for critical pressure at the onset of the phase transformation is studied.

Application of SMA materials in aerospace

The various characteristics of shape memory alloys, such as hyperelasticity, memory alloy effect and so on, make shape memory alloys become a new type of material with broad engineering applications. These components developed based on the characteristics of shape memory alloys are not only used in the aerospace field, but also in various fields such as bridges and railways, and can be used for various purposes such as bridge vibration control and intelligent hybrid control. This article mainly introduces several characteristics of shape memory alloys, and explains the practical application and development prospects of shape memory alloys in the aerospace field. Based on these studies, this article studies the characteristics of shape memory alloys through equation calculus and ANSYS simulation experiments modeling. It can be foreseen in the future that with the development of intelligent control technology, shape memory alloy structures will have a larger operating temperature range, more precise structural control, and will be applied in a wider variety of spacecraft structures.

Characterization of corrosion properties, structure and chemistry of titanium-implanted TiNi shape memory alloy

The near-equiatomic TiNi shape memory alloy passivated through electropolishing and ion implantation with titanium has been studied toward corrosion performance in simulated body fluids (0.9 wt% NaCl, artificial blood plasma). Corrosion rate, nickel oxidation, repassivation and charge transfer has been examined by conventional methods of potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. Experimental validation of the electrochemical results was performed using electron-microscopic (SEM/TEM) techniques and Auger electron spectroscopy. It was revealed that the thickness of the passive layer (TiO + TiO2) could be increased by ∼5 times after ion implantation. Regardless of the corrosion environment, the TiNi alloys exhibiting different surface finishes still suffer from pitting corrosion associated with leaching of nickel ions via oxidation reaction. The Ti-implanted alloy shows satisfactory corrosion resistance in comparison with the reference electropolished TiNi alloy. After ion implantation, the dissolution of the surface layer during anodic polarization was restricted due to the formation of the Ni-depleted amorphous sublayer. Auger Ti- and Ni-LMM peaks are found to be shifted to lower energies due to the contribution of NiO and TiO bonding. It has been shown that not the thickness, but rather the structure and phase composition of the oxide layer are main factors responsible for corrosion performance.

Low cycle fatigue lifetime prediction of superplastic shape memory alloy structures: Application to endodontic instruments

In this paper we propose a methodology for a fast numerical determination of low cycle fatigue lifetime of superelastic shape memory alloy structures. This method is based on the observation that generally, in low cycle fatigue, shape memory alloy (SMA) structures are subject to loadings that lead to a confined non-linear behaviour at stress concentration points, such as notches. Numerical fatigue lifetime prediction requires the computation of the mechanical state at critical points. However, classical computational methods, like the non-linear finite element method, lead to a prohibitive computation time in a non-linear cyclic framework. To overcome this issue, we propose to use fast prediction methods, based on localization laws. Following the determination of the stabilized behaviour, an energetic fatigue criterion is applied. The numerical fatigue life prediction model is validated experimentally on SMA endodontic instruments.

A Footpad Structure with Reusable Energy Absorption Capability for Deep Space Exploration Lander: Design and Analysis

The footpad structure of a deep space exploration lander is a critical system that makes the initial contact with the ground, and thereby plays a crucial role in determining the stability and energy absorption characteristics during the impact process. The conventional footpad is typically designed with an aluminum honeycomb structure that dissipates energy through plastic deformation. Nevertheless, its effectiveness in providing cushioning and energy absorption becomes significantly compromised when the structure is crushed, rendering it unusable for reusable landers in the future. This study presents a methodology for designing and evaluating structural energy absorption systems incorporating recoverable strain constraints of shape memory alloys (SMA). The topological configuration of the energy absorbing structure is derived using an equivalent static load method (ESL), and three lightweight footpad designs featuring honeycomb-like Ni-Ti shape memory alloys structures and having variable stiffness skins are proposed. To verify the accuracy of the numerical modelling, a honeycomb-like structure subjected to compression load is modeled and then compared with experimental results. Moreover, the influence of the configurations and thickness distribution of the proposed structures on their energy absorption performance is comprehensively evaluated using finite element simulations. The results demonstrate that the proposed design approach effectively regulates the strain threshold to maintain the SMA within the constraint of maximum recoverable strain, resulting in a structural energy absorption capacity of 362 J/kg with a crushing force efficiency greater than 63%.

Influence of the interlayer temperature on structure and properties of CMT wire arc additive manufactured NiTi structures

A potential method for producing intricate Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) structures for uses like actuators and vibration dampers is wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM). However, excessive heat build-up during the multi-layer deposition procedure in WAAM can result in process instability and departures from the intended mechanical qualities and dimensions. To address these problems, the interlayer temperature was optimized for printing on NiTi walls in this work. Without interlayer temperature control (WITC), 200 °C, and 400 °C were used to create three samples in order to study the impacts on the porosity level, morphology, and mechanical characteristics of the NiTi walls generated by WAAM. The Shape memory behavior of the manufactured NiTi walls was further examined through shape recovery investigations utilizing hot plate actuation. The findings demonstrated that regulating the interlayer temperature below 300 °C, preferably at 200 °C, enhanced the mechanical characteristics, decreased the porosity content, and enhanced the microstructure of the NiTi walls. The development and improvement of WAAM techniques for the manufacture of premium NiTi SMA components can benefit greatly from these findings.

Explorations of knitted shape memory alloy actuation behavior under high loads via finite element analyses and experimental studies

The properties of shape memory alloy (SMA) wires have long been leveraged across a variety of industries. While the response of such SMA forms implemented as straight axial actuators is well understood, curved and complex configurations such as knits have received far less attention. Considering 2D configurations, it is well known that knits exhibit more in-plane compliance than weaves and meshes, the curved wires comprising the former being much more flexible than the straight wire segments in the latter. In addition, knitted structures are uniquely highly tailorable. Knitting techniques and patterns developed in the textile industry allow for variable materials and geometries in the same structure, allowing for a large range of tailored macro-structure responses. Existing efforts to model the behavior of knitted SMA structures are lacking; though finite element analysis (FEA) models have been presented for knit SMAs, these models either only consider superelastic SMA behavior, or, in those that account for actuation behavior, the applied load conditions studied are insufficient to fully leverage the thermally induced strain recoverability of SMAs. This work seeks to develop and validate a finite element model for the actuation of SMA knitted structures where individual SMA wire components are axially stressed to more than 100 MPa. A representative volume element is developed for a common knit pattern, and macro-structure responses are explored and compared with experiments. This research provides a foundation for better understanding fundamental capabilities and responses of knitted SMA structures, allowing for better design, functionality, and customizability of the applications into which they are incorporated, enabling development of unique soft actuators. A shape-set sample examined herein generated 13% extension (analogous to strain) and recovered more that 6% under a load associated with 100 MPa stress in a straight wire, and a sample knit off-the-spool generated over 20% extension and recovered 9% for the same load.

Shakedown theorems for shape memory alloys structures with functional fatigue — Application to nitinol stents

Shape memory alloys (SMAs) offer interesting perspectives in various fields such as aeronautics, robotics, biomedical sciences, or structural engineering. The distinctive properties of those materials stem from a solid/solid phase transformation occurring at a microscopic level. Modeling the rather complex behavior of SMAs is a topic of active research. Lately, SMA models coupling phase-transformation with permanent inelasticity have been proposed to capture degradation effects which are frequently observed experimentally for cyclic loadings — a phenomenon referred to as functional fatigue. In this paper, the classical static and kinematic shakedown of plasticity theory are extended to such material models. Those results give conditions for the energy dissipation to remain bounded, which is beneficial for the fatigue life. Analytical shakedown limits are obtained for a 3-bar truss example and compared with numerical results from step-by-step simulations. We consider the problem of a nitinol stent submitted to cyclic pressure and mixed pressure–bending as an application, showing how the approach presented can be combined with finite-element analysis to study shakedown of complex 3D structures.

On the nonlinear analysis of pre-strained shape memory alloy beams

We present a theoretical and numerical investigation of the transverse dynamic response of monolithic Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) beams under the effect of axial pre-strains. The SMA beam is taken as benchmark structure to evaluate the effect of (axial) pre-strain on either the free or the forced dynamics. The combination of the static stress, produced by the pre-loading conditions, with the dynamic stress, associated with the vibratory response, affects the occurrence of the stress-induced SMA phase transformation hence providing a mechanism to passively tune the dynamic response. Particular attention is given to the effect that different pre-strain levels have on the overall ability to dissipate mechanical energy, that is on the effective damping. The numerical model of the SMA beam accounts for both material and geometric nonlinear behaviors. The nonlinear material behavior is due to the SMA phase-transformation and it is modeled via the one-dimensional improved Brinson’s model (including tension–compression asymmetry), while the geometric nonlinear behavior is due to large displacements occurring during the phase transformation and it is accounted for via von Kármán assumptions. The resulting model is solved numerically via the finite element method and used to evaluate both the free and the forced response of the beam. The free response analysis suggests the existence of optimal pre-strain levels to achieve maximum damping capacity, while the forced response highlights the occurrence of nonlinear dynamic features, such as bifurcation. In both cases, it is found that the level of pre-strain can significantly affect the dynamic response as well as the effective damping. The results presented in this work provide useful guidelines to understand the dynamics of continuous SMA structures under pre-strain and the ability to tune either their resulting dynamics or dissipation properties.

Microstructure and Mechanical Behavior of Cu-Al-Ni-B Alloys with Thermoelastic Martensitic Transformation

For the first time, using optical, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy and X-ray phase analysis in combination with measurements of tensile mechanical properties, we obtained data on the structural features of the polycrystalline shape-memory eutectoid Cu-Al-Ni-(B) alloys doped by aluminum (of 10 and 14 wt% Al in total amount), nickel (of 3, 4, and 4.5 wt% Ni), and boron (0.02–0.3 wt% B) in various compositions. The effect of boron on the grain sizes, structure, phase composition, and mechanical properties of shape memory (SM) alloys has been studied. The localization of aluminum borides in the structure was investigated and an effect of grain growth inhibition in the (α + β) and β Cu-Al-Ni-B alloys was established, both in the cast state of the alloys considered and after their heat treatment.