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Simulation for Thermomechanical Behavior of

Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) using COMSOL
Multiphysics

Conference Paper · September 2006

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 Excerpt from the Proceedings of the COMSOL Users Conference 2006 Bangalore

Simulation for Thermomechanical Behavior of Shape Memory

Alloy (SMA) using COMSOL Multiphysics
Shamit Shrivastava
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam, India
shamit@iitg.ernet.in

Abstract: Finite Element Method (FEM) is
applied for numerical analysis of SMA beam
fixed at both the ends. Shape memory alloys
(SMAs) like Nitinol (Nickel-Titanium alloy) are
well known materials capable of recovering
extremely large inelastic strain (of the order of
10%) by the Martensite-Austenite phase
transformation. The shape memory effect (SME),
pseudoelasticity and martensite deformability are
typical thermomechanical behaviors of SMAs. A
Nitinol (Nickel - 45%) beam fixed at the both
ends is modeled using a thermodyanamic
constitutive model. The material properties of
SMAs are dependent upon the stress-strain
values generated during runtime. The wire is
heated through resistive heating by providing
controlled potential at the ends of the beam. Due
to the SME, the beam tends to return to its
original position and the curvature of the beam is
simulated. A Micro Pump action is then
simulated with the modeled SMA beam and a
few Nanobioscience applications are highlighted.
Keywords: Shape Memory Alloy (SMA),
Nitinol, Finite Element Method (FEM), MEMS,
Actuation, Micropump, Computation and
Modeling.
1. Introduction
and temperature. Formation of martensitic phase
under stress results in the desired crystalline
variant orientation which leads to large induced
strain [2,3]. Dependent upon the temperature of
the system, the strain is recovered either in a
hysteresis loop upon unloading or upon heating
the material. This capability of reversible,
controllable large strain is the basis for use of
SMAs as control materials. Large shape changes
can be induced easily and reproducibly with
these materials.
1.1 Methods
Since shape memory material behavior depends
on stress and temperature and is intimately
connected with the crystallographic phase of the
material and the thermodynamics underlying the
transformation process, formulation of adequate
macroscopic constitutive law is necessarily
complex. A variety of constitutive models have
been developed, most aimed at one dimensional
description of the material behavior [2,3,4,5].
One feature of many of the constitutive models
of the shape memory behavior can generally be
separated into a mechanical law governing
stress-strain behavior and a kinetic law
governing transformation behavior. These two
relationships are coupled because stress is an
input for the kinetic law and the dynamic phase
fraction in turn affects the stress-strain behavior.

Smart Materials are receiving unprecedented 1.2 Theory

attention in recent years for their great potential
to revolutionize the engineering of actuation and
control. Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs) are one
such ‘smart material’ that is currently being
studied with great enthusiasm as they hold the
promise for many engineering advancements in
the near future. They are capable of recovering
very large strains due to crystallographic
transformations between the highly symmetric
parent phase of austenite and low symmetry
product phase of martensite [1]. The phase
change that occurs is a function of both stress
In this paper we are going to use the recently
developed thermo-elastic model, that makes use
of the engineering property measurement, by
Turner et. Al.[6]. The effective coefficient of
thermal expansion model (ECTEM) is relatively
simplified and easily integrated into commercial
structural analysis softwares such as COMSOL
Multiphysics. As opposed to approach of the
different models discussed in previous
paragraph, in ECTEM, the stress in a SMA
material is based purely on the elastic component
and an effective thermal strain component. This
 Excerpt from the Proceedings of the COMSOL Users Conference 2006 Bangalore

effective thermal strain term represents both the (a) For T < As
thermal and transformational components of T
other models. As a consequence, the ECTEM σ 1= E(T)[ε 1- ∫ α 1(τ )dτ ]
model is limited to thermally activated To
transformations, but is particularly attractive for
SMA because it only requires the experimental
measurement of fundamental engineering (b) For T > As
properties.
σ r (T , ε p )
Direction 1 is along the axis of the fixed beam
σ 1= E(T)[ε 1 + ]
Ea (T )
while 2 represent the direction transverse to it.
The following constitutive relation is the
fundamental equation of the ECTEM developed Only the engineering properties of α1(τ) for
by Turner [9] for SMA element along direction 1 T < As and σr, E for T ≥ As need to be measured
in experimental setups that imitate the
T application (pre-strain εp=4% and boundary
σ 1= E(T)[ε 1- ∫ α 1(τ )dτ ] Conditions = clamped) to implement the model.
To A similar constitutive relation results for
principle material direction-2 (transverse)
where, E is the Young’s modulus of the SMA, ε1
T
is the strain in direction 1 and α1 is the
coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). The key σ 2 = E(T)[ε 2- ∫ α 2(τ )dτ ]
feature of the constitutive relation is the term To

T In this case the transverse CTE α2(τ) is not

–E(T) ∫ α 1(τ )dτ ]
To
related to the recovery stress, σr, and elastic
modulus E(T), but is still nonlinear due to the
changing of the martensite and austenite phases.
and this embodies the effect of both the thermal
strain and transformational strain of the SMA. In 2. Computation and Modeling
the constrained recovery application, the term is
related to recovery stress and elastic modulus of The ECTEM requires measurement of material
SMA i.e. σ r (T , ε p ) and E(T), still capturing the properties viz coefficient of thermal expansion, α
nonlinear effects when the temperature is above (table 1), recovery stress, σr and young’s
austenitic start (T>As). modulus, E as a function of temperature [7]. This
data was then interpolated using fourth degree
T polynomials. To obtain temperature dependent
–E(T) ∫ α (τ )dτ = σ
To
1 r or functions for E, σr and α. The (2.6x10-3x1.2x10-5)
m, nitinol beam with 138 boundary elements and
a total of 260 elements was then simulated for
−σ r (T , ε p )
T

∫ α (τ )dτ =
midspan deflection versus central line
1
E (T ) temperature. The temperature range was set
To
between the experimentally obtained values and
the deflection was simulated for three different
When the temperature is below austenitic start values of transverse pressure (Figure 4).
(T < As) the thermoelastic relation remains the
same, and the ECTE of the SMA is due to
thermal expansion only, and can be measured
experimentally. Therefore, the temperature
dependent constitutive relation in the 1-direction
for the SMA actuator specific to constrained
recovery can be expressed as
 Excerpt from the Proceedings of the COMSOL Users Conference 2006 Bangalore
Figure 1. X and Y displacements variation with the
temperature.
3. Results and Discussion
As expected x and y displacements (Figure 1)
and hence the total displacement (Figure 2) was
found to decreases in magnitude with increase in
temperature. The deformation was simulated for
two different values of external force on concave
surfaces viz 15N/m and 20 N/m and the obtained
shapes can be observed in figure 4. This shows
that such a device can function over a wide range
of pressure. Since its a 2-d model of a diaphragm
surface, the unit is force per unit length. This
‘forced return’ to the mean position after initial
buckling can find many applications in micro as
well as nano-scale devices such as micropumps
and squeezers. One such design was suggested
by Benard and Kahn [10]. We suggest one more
such design in figure 3 and this has the
advantage of being able to induce motion at
microlevels, a property that is not possible in the
Figure 2. Total displacement variation with the
temperature.
Figure 3. Design of the Micropump.
model suggested by Benard and Kahn. The two
diaphragms will bulge out due to initial heating
and inlet valve will operate during this period.
As temperature increases the shape memory
effect will come into picture and this will create
stress within the SMA that will drive the
diaphragms back to the original positions. Such a
device can find applications in a number of fields
[8,9,10,11]; from microhearts which are
electrically controlled, to cell membranes
reaction with microvolt stimulation, to fluid
absorption retention and release in tissue
samples, to lung simulators and diaphragm
support structures[12,13,14]. Inflammation
causes a temperature gradient to develop in
tissues and this gradient can be used effectively
for optimized drug delivery. This will work with
the same principal as that of the micropump.
Excerpt from the Proceedings of the COMSOL Users Conference 2006 Bangalore

Figure 4 Force=15 N/m Temperature,T=298 K and T=343

K. Force =20/N/m Temperature, T=298 and T=343 K
respectively.

4. Conclusion

Shape memory alloy based micropump can

operate over a wide range of temperatures and
pressures and micropumps based on SMA
promise a lot for futuristic microdevices. Large
deformations that are recovered leads to a high
volume of fluid pumped per stroke as compared
to micropumps based on other mechanisms.
Owing to properties like high resistance to
corrosion and very low reactivity they are very
much compatible with bio-sytems and hence
there is a lot of scope for pragmatic biomedical
applications.

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 Excerpt from the Proceedings of the COMSOL Users Conference 2006 Bangalore

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Acknowledgement 394.25 71.36 11
399.85 70.81 11
I am indebted to Dr. Arun Chattopadhyay,
405.35 70.33 11
Indian Institute of Technology,Guwahati, who
gave me valuable advice and motivation and was 410.95 69.78 11
good enough to find time for fruitful discussion. 416.45 69.29 11
My deepest and most sincere thanks to Mr. 422.05 68.74 11
Ramakrishnan, Centre for Nanotech IIT
Guwahati, and Mr. Venkataramanan
Soundararajan, Sasisekharan Lab, MIT who
inspite of their busy schedule, were able to spare
time to help and guide me in doing my project. A
special thanks to Mr. Arun Prasad, Comsol
Multiphysics, Banglore who provided all
possible help.

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