CE 520: Introduction to Smart Structures Technologies

Shape Memory Alloys

Hoon Sohn
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
Daejeon, Korea
(Lecture #4)

Shape Memory Effect Video

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History of Shape Memory Alloy

In 1932, Swedish physicist Arne Olander observed that a
deformed AuCd alloy could returned to its original shape
when heated
The first sustained research on SMA is attributed to William
Buehler and his colleagues at Naval Ordnance Laboratory
in 1961.
Copper-aluminum-nickel (CuAlNi), copper-zinc-aluminum
(CuZnAl) and iron-manganeses-silicon (FeMnSi) also
exhibit shape memory effects, but Nitinol remains the most
widely used shape memory alloy.
SMA can recover upto 10% strains through temperature
and stress induced transformations between high
temperature austenite and low temperature martensite
phases.

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Shape Memory Alloys Basics

Courtesy of DS Grummon, Michigan State University

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Phase Transformation of SMA

(Temperature Induced Phase Transformation)

Phase Transformation: The change from one alloy phase to another with a
change in temperature, pressure, stress, chemistry, and/or time.
Alloy Phase: A particular arrangement of atoms (or crystal structure) in an
alloy.
Austenite: The stiff, higher temperature phase present in a Nickel-Titanium
(NiTi) alloy.
Martensite: The soft, lower temperature phase present in NiTi.
Hysteresis: The temperature difference between a phase transformation
upon heating and cooling. In NiTi alloys, it is generally measured as the
difference between Ap and Mp.

Phase

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Terminology for SMA

Af Temperature:

The temperature at which a shape memory alloy finishes transforming to Austenite

upon heating.

Ap Temperature:

The temperature at which a shape memory alloy is about 50% transformed to

Austenite upon heating.

As Temperature:

The temperature at which a shape memory alloy starts transforming to Austenite

upon heating.

Mf Temperature:

The temperature at which a shape memory alloy finishes transforming to Martensite

upon cooling.

Mp Temperature:

The temperature at which a shape memory alloy is about 50% transformed to

Martensite upon cooling.

Ms Temperature:

The temperature at which a shape memory alloy starts transforming to Martensite

upon cooling.

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Temperature/Stress Induced Phase Transformation

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Schematic Illustration of SMA Effects

(a) Schematics of the mechanism of martensite deformation in SMAs and shape memory
effect.
(b) Superelasticity and stress-strain-temperature behavior of shape memory
Courtesy of Y. Liu, Nanyang Tech Univ., Singapore

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Stress-strain Curve of SMA

Ms = -52 oC, Af = 30 oC
Stress-strain curves at different temperature

Photograph courtesy of H. Funakubo, Univ. of Tokyo

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Shape Memory vs. Superelasticity

Shape Memory

The ability of certain alloys to return to a predetermined shape upon heating via a
phase transformation.

Superelasticity

if deformed slightly above the transformation temperature Af, a superelastic material

can recover all its deformation immediately after the unloading. The superelasticity
arises from the formation and reversion of stress-induced martensite.

Loading

Loading
Unloading
Cooling

Unloading

Heating/recovery
T

Shape memory effect

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Superelastic effect

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Superelasticity vs. Quasiplasticity

Operating temperature determines whether the shape
memory alloy material has shape memory effect or
superelastic effect.
The transformation temperature can be adjusted by slight
changes in alloy composition and through heat treatment.

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Illustration of Phase Transformation

Courtesy of DS Grummon, Michigan State University

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Shape Memory Alloys (SMA)

Materials that have the shape memory effect include
Nickel-titanium (most common SMA), also called Nitinol
Copper-based alloys (less expensive than nitinol)
Cu-Zn-Al
Cu-Al-Ni

Iron-based alloys
Fe-Mn, Fe-Mn-Si, Fe-Pt, Fe-Ni, Fe-Ni-Co

Thermal treatment is required to introduce shape memory

or superelastic effect in shape memory alloys
You will not be able to observe any shape memory effect if heat
treatment is not properly done

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Nitinol (= NiTi + NOL)

Chart courtesy of Special Metals, Inc

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Shape Memory Alloys (SMA)

Merits of Nitinol as a Shape Memory Alloy

Corrosion resistance
Chart courtesy of Y. Liu, Nanyang Tech. Univ., Singapore
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Properties of Nitinol

Density, g/cu.cm (lb/cu.in.).............6.45 (0.233)

Resistivity, micro-ohms * cm
Austenite.............................approx. 100
Martensite............................approx. 70
Corrosion Resistance.....................Similar to 300
series
stainless steel or
titanium alloys
Young's Modulus, GPa, (1,000 ksi)
Austenite.............................approx. 83 (12)
Martensite............................approx. 28 to 41 (4 to
6)
Yield Strength, MPa (ksi)
Austenite.............................195 to 690 (28 to 100)
Martensite............................70 to 140 (10 to 20)
Ultimate Tensile Strength,
MPa (ksi).............................895 (130)
Transformation Temperatures,
deg.C (deg.F).........................-200 to 110 (-325 to
230)
Shape Memory Strain......................8.5% maximum

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Photograph courtesy of Johnson Matthey,

Inc.

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A list of Applications
Efficient pipe couplers, fasteners, connectors, and clamps
(Ex. Nitinol couplers have been used to join hydraulic

lines in F14 fighter planes since the late 60s)

Biomedical applications: orthodontic wires, Nitinol hooks
to attach tendons to bone
Fire detector, sprinkler, gas shutoff, cell phone antenna

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Applications: Inflatable SMA Antenna

Courtesy of J. Qiu, Tohoku Univ., Japan

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Applications: Reusable Hysteretic Damping Device

(d) 3rd story

Drift ratio

0.02
Uncontrolled
SMAWD-P

0.01
0
-0.01
-0.02

10

20

30

40

50

60

(e) 2nd story

Drift ratio

0.02
Uncontrolled
SMAWD-P

0.01
0
-0.01
-0.02

10

20

30

40

50

60

(f) 1st story

Drift ratio

0.02
Uncontrolled
SMAWD-P

0.01
0
-0.01
-0.02

10

20

30
Time (sec)

40

50

60

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Applications: Reusable Hysteretic Damping Device

The core component of the reusable hysteretic damping device is

superelastic nickel-titanium wire stands.
It has the following favorable characteristics for structural seismic
response control:

Damage free under frequent and design basis earthquakes;

Reduced residual drift due to its self-centering capability
Reusable for many strong earthquakes because of the high fatigue life of NiTi

F (lb)

1000

F
500

0
-0.015

-0.01

-0.005

0.005

0.01

0.015

Displacement (in)

-500

-1000

Illustration of the self-centering

mechanism of the device
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Experimental hysteresis loop of the

proposed damping device

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Cyclic Load Test Results of Hesteritic Damping Device

1500

1000

Load (lb)

500

0
-0.4

-0.2

0.2

0.4

-500

-1000

-1500
Displacement (in)

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SMA for Seismic Hazard Mitigation

Reading:

Seismic design and retrofit using shape memory alloys, by R. Des Roches et al.,
Proc. China-U.S. Millennium Symp. of Earthquake Engineering, Beijing, China,
November 2000.

Steel Beam-Column Connections with Shape

Memory Alloy Rod as Energy Dissipation Elements

Courtesy of R. Des Roches, Georgia Tech.

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SMA for Seismic Hazard Mitigation

SMA Tendon for Bridge Restrainer

Courtesy of R. Des Roches, Georgia Tech.

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SMA for Seismic Retrofit of Historical Structures

Reading:

Progress of application, research and development and design guidelines for

shape memory alloy devices for cultural heritage structures in Italy, by M.G.
Castellano et al., Smart Systems for Bridges, Structures, and Highways,
Newport Beach, March 5-7, 2001

Courtesy of MG Castellano et al., FIP & ENEA, Italy

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Bone Repair with SMA

Photograph courtesy of J. Qiu, Tohoku Univ., Japan

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Buckling Control

Courtesy of J. Qiu, Tohoku Univ., Japan

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Smart Composites
Shape memory alloy (SMA)
smart composites are fabricated
by embedding SMA wires or
plates in polymer matrix.
Such adaptive composites offer
the potential to actively control
the properties of the composite
structures.
An SEM image of the cross
section of fabricated TINi/CFRP
smart composite is shown on
the right.
Courtesy of Y. Xu, SSRC, Japan

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New Types of SMA Materials

Magnetic Shape Memory (MSM) materials are a new class smart
materials, capable of generating force and motion when exposed to a
low magnetic field.
MSM materials combine the large and complex shape changes of
SMA with the fast and precise response of magnetic control.
See for more details: www.adaptamat.com/technology/msm/

Photo courtesy of AdaptaMat, Finland

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References

Review of Mechanics of Shape Memory Alloy Structures, by V.

Birman, Appl. Mech. Rev., 50(11): 629-645, 1997.
Thermomechanical Aspects of NiTi, by J.A. Shaw and S. Kyriakides,
J. Mech. Phys. Solids, 43(8): 1243-1281, 1995.
An overview of vibration and seismic applications of NiTi shape
memory alloy, by S. Saadat et al., Smart Materials and Structures,
11: 218-229, 2002.
Progress of application, research and development and design
guidelines for shape memory alloy devices for cultural heritage
structures in Italy, by M.G. Castellano et al., Smart Systems for
Bridges, Structures, and Highways, Newport Beach, March 5-7,
2001
Implementation and testing of passive control devices based on
shape memory alloys, by M. Dolce et al., Earthquake Engrg. Struct.
Dyn., 29(7): 945-968, 2000.

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References (Contd)

Seismic design and retrofit using shape memory alloys, by R. Des

Roches et al., Proc. China-U.S. Millennium Symp. of Earthquake
Engineering: Earthquake Engineering Frontiers in the New
Millennium, Beijing, China, November 2000.
Engineering Aspects of Shape Memory Alloys, by Duerig, et al.,
Butterworth Heinemann Publishers, London, 1990.
Shape memory alloys, by Hodgson, et al., Metals Handbook, vol.2,
10th Ed., ASM International, 2001.
Thermomechanical aspects of NiTi, by Shaw and Kyriakides, J.
Mech. Phys. Solids, 43(8): 1243, 1995.
Johnson Matthey (specialized in manufacturing SMA products)
http://www.sma-inc.com

Shape Memory Alloy Data Base at Virginia Tech

http://www.cimss.vt.edu/shape_memory_database.html

Shape memory alloy (SMA) and other smart materials

http://www-civ.eng.cam.ac.uk/dsl/sma/smasite.html

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