SHAPE MEMORY ALLOYS – A
MAGICAL INVENTION technological interest in the use of SMA for
Abstract
Shape memory alloy are materials
that have the ability to return to a former
shape when subjected to an appropriate
thermo mechanical procedure. Pseudo
elastic and shape memory effects are some
of the behaviours presented by these alloys.
The unique properties concerning these
alloys have encouraged many investigators
look for applications of SMA in different
fields of human knowledge .
The purpose of these review article is
to present a brief discussion
thermomechanical behaviour of SMA and
their most promising applications
different fields of life .
Keywords : Shape memory, Peudoelasticity,
Thermomechanical behaviour
Introduction
Shape memory alloys (SMA)
constitute a group of metallic materials with
the ability to recover a previously defined
length or a shape when subjected to an
appropriate thermo mechanical load, When
there is a limitation of shape recovery, these
alloys promote high restitution forces.
Because of these properties, there is a great
different applications.Ni-Ti , Cu-Zn-Al and
Cu-Al-Ni are examples for SMA
Transformation Temperature
In SMA, the shape recovery process occurs
not at a single temperature but over a range
of temperature .Thus the range of
temperature at which the SMA switches
from new shape to the original shape is
called transformation temperature. Below
the transformation temperature ,it can be
bent into any shape but above
transformation temperature the SMA returns
to its original shape.
of
Phases (structures of SMA)
in In general the SMA has two phases (crystal
structures)
 Martensite
 Austenite
Martensite is an interstitial super solution of
carbon in α-iron and it crystallizes into
twinned structure.
The SMA will have its structure generally at
lower temperatures and it is soft in this
phase. Austenite is the solid solution of
carbon and other alloying elements in γ-iron
and it crystallizes into cubic structure at
higher temperature and it is hard in this Pseudoelastic occur in some type of
phases. SMA in which the change in its shape will
occur even without change in its
temperature.

Super-elasticity :

The shape memory alloys which

have change in its shape at constant
temperature are called super elastic SMAs

Characteristics of SMA and that effect is known as super elasticity.

Shape Memory Effect

It is very clear that at lower

temperature the SMA will be in martensite
structure and when it is heated then it will
change its shape to austenite structure and
while cooling

it will again return to martensite

form. This effect is called shape memory
effect.

Ni-Ti alloy

Nickel-Titanium is a type of shape

memory alloy which has high shape memory
strain.

Physical properties of Nitinol

 Density :6.45gms/cc
Pseudoelastic effect:
  Melting temperature:1240-1310  Appropriate elastic modulus(lo-

°C temp): 28Gpa,4Mpsi
 Appropriate Poisson’s ratio: 0.3
 Resistivity (hi-temp
state):82uohm-cm Nitinol foil
 Resistivity (low-temp state):
76uohm-cm
 Thermal conducting: 0.1W/cm-
°C
 Heat capacity: 0.077cal/gm-°C
 Latent heat:5.78cal/gm; 24.2
J/gm
 Magnetic susceptibility(hi-
temp): 3.8 uemu/gm
 Magnetic susceptibility(low-
temp): 2.5 uemu/gm
Mechanical properties of Nitinol

 Ultimate tensile strength :754-

960MPa or 110-140ksi
 Typical elongation to fracture:
15.5%
 Typical yield strength(hi-temp):
560MPa,80ksi
 Typical yield strength(low-temp):
100MPa,15ksi
 Appropriate elastic modulus(hi-
temp):75GPa,11Mpsi
 coorporation under the trade name cryofit .
Manufacture of these couplings for
aerospace hydraulic connections was later
transferred to AMCI(Advanced metal
components Inc) and then later to aerofit
products Inc. Additional products using the
same shape- memory alloy technology are
produced under cryolive and cryoflare trade
names.Rod coupling

Shape-memory coupling

Shape memory coupling is a system

for connecting pipes using shape memory
alloys . In its typical form the technique uses
an internally ribbed sleeve of alloy such as
Tinel that is slightly smaller in diameter than
the pipes it is to connect .

The sleeve is cooled in liquid

nitrogen then,in this low temperature state
,mechanically expanded with a mandrel to
fit easily over the two pipe ends to be joined
.After fitting,it is allowed to rewarm ,when
the memory effect causes the sleeve to
shrink back to its orinigal smaller size
,creating a tight joint.
It was first produced in the late
1960s or early 1970s by the Raychem
Shape memory alloy fastener
A fastener having an elongated
shank formed of a shape memory alloy, a
head at the upper end of the shank, and an
annular segment at the lower end of the said
shank having a deformed cross-sectional
shape suitable for insertion into an opening
extending though adjacent workpieces.
 The annular segment has a frusto- Blood clot filter :Here, the SMA is cooled
conical trained shape that is larger than this and sent into vein .Due to body temperature
opening. The annular segment radially flares its changes in shape and acts as blood clot
from the deformed shape to an filter. Fire safety valves, helicopter blades
approximation of the trained shape when and many more are its application. Thus
heated above a critical transformation these materials are also called smart or
temperature, thereby securing the fastener in intelligent materials.
the workpieces.

Alternatively ,a sleeve made of a

different material extending over a portion
or the entire length of the fastener can be
added for improved deformational
characteristics, by providing the same fruto-
conical shape through axial contraction of
the shank.

Applications

Eye glass frame: We know that the recently

manufactured eye glass frames can be bent
back and forth, and can regain its original
shape within fraction of time.

Other Applications include

Various thermal actuators that came into

existence as a part of electric appliances

Automobile applications

Aerospace applications

Biomedical applications

Civil engineering of mega structures