SHAPE MEMORY ALLOYS

(SMA)
INTRODUCTION
Some Major Contributions
Discovered by Arne Olander (1932).
Described by Vernon(1941).
Recognised with the discovery of shape memory
effect in Ni-Ti alloy (Nitinol).
Shape Memory Alloys
These materials have the
tendency to regain their pre-
deformed shape and size when
subjected to certain stimulus.
Example :
Nickel-Titanium 50-50%
Alloy (Nitinol)
Copper base alloys (Cu-Zn-
Al & Cu-Al-Ni).
How does It Work?
Solid State phase
transformation.
The internal structure of a
solid material changes back
and forth between two
crystalline forms.
Properties of SMA
Tendency to possess different crystal structure
at same composition.
Tendency to revert back to its original shape
after heating.
Relatively lightweight and bio compatible.
Easy to manufacture.
High force to weight ratio.
Properties of SMA
NITINOL
Combination of NiTi and Naval Ordinance
Laboratory.
Equal amount of Ni and Ti
(50% each by weight).
Exhibits shape memory and superelasticity.
SMA exhibits differing properties
including :
1. Shape memory effect
2. Super elasticity
SMA shows super-elastic
behaviour over large strain ranges
of up to about 8%.
Shape Memory Effect
Describes the effect
of restoring the
original shape of a
plastically deformed
sample by heating it.
Superelasticity
The SMA reverts to
its original shape after
removal of
mechanical loading ,
without the need for
any thermal
activation.
One-Way Memory Effect
When the alloy is deformed,
it will hold that shape until
heated .
Upon heating it changes to
its original shape and when
the it cools again it will
remain in its hot shape.
(T2>T1)
T1
T1
T2
T1
Two-Way Memory Effect
The material remember two
different shapes.
The reason the material behaves
so differently in these situations
lies in training .
T1
T1
T2
T1
A shape memory alloy can "learn"
to behave in a certain way.
It is "trained" to "remember" or
to leave some reminders of the
deformed low-temperature
condition in the high-temperature
phases.
Training of materials
Theory of phase
transformation
Phases in SMA
Parent phase :Austenite phase
Daughter Phase : Martensite phase
Reverse transformation between these two
phases takes place on temperature change.
Description of phase
transformation
Austenite Phase
Crystal Structure:
Face Centred Cubic.
Exists at higher temperature
Harder material
Difficult to deform
Martensite Phase
Crystal Structure:
Body Centred Tetragonal
Exists at lower temperatures
Relatively soft
Plastic and easy to shape.
A TO M TRANSFORMATION
Martensite phase is obtained by cooling of
austenite to low temperatures.
Results from diffusion less transformation of
austenite.
Cooling rate should be high to prevent diffusion.
Large number of atoms co-operative movements
with respect to their neighbours.
Also called as interstitial or substitutional solid
solution.
Phase transformation in SMA occurs when:
chemical free energy of martensite phase is less
than that of parent phase.
E
parent
-E
martensite
>Non-chemical Free Energy
Non-chemical Free Energy includes strain and
interface energy.
PLOT OF G VS T
Phase Transition
3-D VIEW
Microscopic point of view
Austenite phase
Twinned Martensite.
Detwinned Martensite
Twinned martensite
Occurs by re-
arrangement of atoms
by simple shear.
.
Does not cause
breaking of atomic
bonds.
Comparison of Twinned
and Detwinned
martensite phase
DETWINNED FORM
TWINNED FORM
No volume change
Shape change occurs
No volume change
No shape change
Phase transformation curve
In the figure ,
(T) represents
the martensite
fraction.
Transformation temperature
Not unique as transformation begins at one
temperature and ends at another.
There are 4 transformation temperature:
1. M
s
- Martensite start
2. M
f
Martensite finish
3. A
s
Austenite start
4. A
f
Austenite finish
Characteristics of phase
transformation
Reversible As heating above transition
temperature will revert the crystal back to its
austenitic phase.
Transformation is instantaneous in both the
directions.
Transformation hysterisis
Difference between
temperatures at
which the material is
50% transformed on
either phase.
For Ni-Ti : 25-50C
The difference
between the heating
and cooling
transition gives rise
to hysteresis where
some of the energy
is lost.
The shape of the curve depends on the material
properties of the shape-memory alloy.
Although the deformation experienced by shape-
memory alloys is semi-permanent, it is not truly
plastic deformation neither is it strictly
elastic . It is termed thermo elastic.
Types of Martensitic
transformation
Thermo-Elastic : Occurs when interface energy
and energy required for plastic deformation are
negligible.
Non-Thermo elastic : Occurs when interface
energy and energy required for plastic
deformation are high.
Stress-strain behaviour
comparison
Comparison of SME and
Superelasticity
Shape memory polymers
They are inexpensive
plastics with
properties similar to
shape-memory alloys.
They are likely to
expand the list of
applications for
SMAs.
APPLICATIONS
PIPING
Weld less shrink-to-fit pipe couplers
Oil line pipes for industrial applications, water
pipes.
EYEGLASS FRAMES
Allows the frames to undergo large deformation
under stress , yet regain their intended shape when
unloaded.
DENTISTRY
Orthodontic wires that reduce the need to
retighten and adjust the wire.
FABRICATION
A shirt which moulds to the shape of your
body, or shortens and lengthens the sleeves to
match the temperature.
ROBOTICS
Used to create very light robots or parts of them.
Example Robotic arm.
BIOMEDICAL
Nano-muscles
Surgical
instruments:
1. Tissue Spreader
2. Stents(angioplasty
).
3. Coronary Probe
4. Brain Spatula
Endoscopy: miniature zoom device, bending
actuator
Force sensor.
Smart skin (wing turbulence reduction)
AEROSPACE
General Electric
Aircraft Engines.
Connection of hydraulic
tubing.
ACTUATORS
SMA actuators are typically actuated electrically
by Joule heating.
AUTOMOTIVE
Automotive valve application-to run low
pressure pneumatics in a car seat to adjust the
contour.
STRUCTURES AND COMPOSITES
For vibration control in
structures.
For design of structure
capable of extremely
large , recoverable
deflections.
MISCELLANEOUS
APPLICATIONS
THE ICEMOBILE
A heat engine, that has a
loop of Nitinol which you
immerse in warm water, to
make it spin (which then
cuts up ice cubes).
NO MORE OIL BURNS
A deep fryer that senses the
right temperature for
when to lower the basket
into the oil.
FIRE ALARM SPRINKLER
SYSTEM.
When there is a fire the
temperature will affect the
electrical circuit and
trigger the sprinkler.
SMA REINFORCED
COMPOSITES
Used for active
vibration control of
large flexible aerospace
and space structures.
GLOBAL
FORECAST